頼
trust, request
Readings
On'yomi
- ライ
Kun'yomi
- たの.む
- たの.もしい
- たよ.る
Nanori
- よち
- より
Meaning
頼 centers on relying on someone or something: trusting them, making a request, or depending on their help.
Most common words using 頼
20 of 73- 頼むたのむN5
to request; to beg; to ask
- 信頼しんらいN3
trust (in); confidence; faith; reliance
- 依頼いらいN3
request; commission; entrusting (with a matter)
- 頼るたよるN3
to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)
- 頼りたよりN2
reliance; dependence
- 頼みたのみN1
request; favor; favour
- 頼もしいたのもしいN2
reliable; dependable; trustworthy; reassuring
- 神頼みかみだのみ
entreaty to a deity
- 無頼ぶらい
villainous; rascally; knavish
- 頼み込むたのみこむ
to request earnestly
- 信頼性しんらいせい
credibility; authenticity; confidence; reliability
- 頼りないたよりないN1
unreliable; undependable; indefinite; vague
- 依頼者いらいしゃ
client; requester
- もみ手で頼むもみででたのむ
to supplicate; to implore humbly
- サービス信頼性サービスしんらいせい
service reliability
- 人頼みひとだのみ
relying on others; depending on others
- 人頼りひとだより
reliance on others
- 依頼主いらいぬし
client
- 依頼人いらいにん
client; requester
- 依頼心いらいしん
spirit of dependence
Study
Etymology
頼 is the modern simplified form of 賴. The older form combines 束 (bundle) with 貝 (shell/money), suggesting reliance on material resources. The modern 頁 shape is a simplification.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 束 looks like a bundle, and the right side 頁 looks like a head. Imagine a person carrying a heavy bundle on their head, relying on someone else to help them balance it.
Reading mnemonic
For ライ, imagine trusting someone to hold your bundle while you tie your shoelace: lace -> ライ, and you rely on them not to drop it.