寄よりすがる

よ

り

す

が

る

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

cling to; lean on; rely on

Describes physically clinging to someone or emotionally relying on them, often with a sense of dependence or seeking support.

子こどもが母はは親おやに寄よりすがって泣ないた。
The child clung to his mother and cried.
彼かれ

は

友とも

達だち

に

寄よ

りすがっ

て

ばかり

で

、

自じ

立りつ

しよう

と

し

ない

。

He just leans on his friends and never tries to be independent.

Written forms

寄よりすがる
Common spelling using 寄り and kana for the latter part.
よりすがるUsage88%
寄より縋すがるUsage13%
Rare kanji spelling using 縋る; may not be recognized by all readers.
寄より縋すがる
Very rare abbreviated kanji spelling; not recommended for learners.

Kanji

寄draw near, stop in, bring near
縋cling, hang on, depend

Similar words

すがる
すがる alone means to cling or rely on, but 寄りすがる emphasizes the action of drawing close and clinging, often with a nuance of emotional dependence.
頼たよる
頼る is a more general and common word for relying on someone or something, without the physical clinging nuance of 寄りすがる.

Etymology

Compound of 寄り (continuative form of 寄る, 'to approach') and すがる ('to cling'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally expresses drawing near and clinging.