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道Nihongo Path
頼

頼·request, rely on, trust

On-yomi
ライ
Kun-yomi
たのむたよるたのもしい

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

16 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
頼むたのむto ask (a favor), to order (food)
信頼しんらいtrust, confidence
頼るたよるto rely on, to depend on
依頼いらいa request, a commission

Example sentences

  1. 友だちに手伝いを頼みました。

    ともだちにてつだいをたのみました。

    I asked my friend for help.

  2. 彼は信頼できる人です。

    かれはしんらいできるひとです。

    He is someone you can trust.

  3. 困ったときは、いつでも頼ってください。

    こまったときは、いつでもたよってください。

    Whenever you're in trouble, feel free to rely on me.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 依頼 as *いたのみ instead of いらい
  • Using 頼む for wishes about the future — that is 願う; 頼む is asking a person for an action

Memory aid

Picture it

束 (a bundle) beside 頁 (head) — you bring your bundle of troubles and bow your head to ask.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 頼 mean?