WORD DETAIL
寄り添う
よりそう
Examples
Included kanji
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 寄り添う (よりそう) is an intransitive verb meaning to press close physically or to stand by someone emotionally.
- Basic usage: The physical companion or the feelings being supported can both be marked with に.
- 子猫が母猫に寄り添って眠っている。 — The kitten is sleeping pressed close to its mother.
- 悲しむ友人の気持ちに寄り添いたい。 — I want to stay beside my grieving friend and share the pain.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Proximity and empathy
- そばにいる can state only physical presence, whereas 寄り添う conveys pressing close or actively empathizing with another person's feelings.