もたれかかる

も

た

れ

か

る

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

lean on; rest against; recline

usually written using kana alone

Physical sense: leaning one's body or an object against something for support. Often used with に or へ.

彼かれは壁かべにもたれ掛かかって立たっていた。
He was standing leaning against the wall.
疲

つか

れ

て

ソファ

に

もたれ

掛か

かっ

た

。

Exhausted, I leaned back against the sofa.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

rely on; depend on

usually written using kana alone

Figurative sense: depending on someone emotionally, financially, or for support. Often used with に.

彼かの女じょはいつも親おやにもたれ掛かかってばかりいる。
She is always relying on her parents.
あまり人ひとにもたれ掛かからずに、自じ分ぶんで考かんがえなさい。
Don't depend too much on others; think for yourself.

Written forms

もたれ掛かかるUsage6%
search-only kanji form
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling; the word is usually written in kana, but this form is widely recognized.
もたれかかるUsage87%
Kana-only spelling; the most common written form in practice.
凭もたれかかるUsage5%
search-only kanji form
凭もたれ掛かかるUsage2%
Kanji form using 凭 (lean on); less common but still encountered.
靠もたれ掛かかる
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form with 靠; not recommended for learners.

Kanji

凭lean on, recline on, lie heavy
掛hang, suspend, depend
靠lean on

Similar words

寄よりかかる
Similar meaning 'to lean against', but もたれ掛かる often implies a heavier, more relaxed leaning, while 寄りかかる can be lighter or more casual.
頼たよる
Means 'to rely on' in a general sense; もたれ掛かる in its figurative sense carries a nuance of excessive or passive dependence.

Etymology

Compound of もたれ (continuative form of もたれる 'to lean') + 掛かる (かかる 'to hang, lean on'). The kanji 凭 and 靠 both carry the meaning 'lean on', but the word is now predominantly written in kana.