rely · request

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is らい, and the kun readings are たのむ, たのもしい, and たよる. It has 16 strokes. It appears in words for making requests and relying on someone or something.
• Basic usage: 頼む is read たのむ and 頼る is read たよる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 頼む / 頼る
  • 頼む means ask or request and is read たのむ. It describes asking a person or specialist shop to do something.
  • 重い箱を運ぶのを兄に頼みました。 means “I asked my brother to move the heavy box.”
  • 頼る means rely on or depend on and is read たよる. It describes relying on someone or something, such as family or a map.
  • 困ったときは一人で悩まず家族を頼る。 means “When I am in trouble, I rely on my family instead of worrying alone.”