Japanese word

もたれる

Pronunciation

Romajimotareru

Meaning

  • verblean against

Example

壁にもたれます。kabe ni mo ta re ma su

I lean against the wall.

Illustration for もたれる (lean against)

More examples

電車の中で、隣の人にもたれないように気をつけます。den sha no naka de tonari no hito ni mo ta re na i yō ni ki o tsu ke ma su

On the train, I am careful not to lean on the person next to me.

Core concept

Expresses resting the body on a nearby surface by settling against it for support.

Common phrases

  • 手すりにもたれるte su ri ni mo ta re ru

    lean against a handrail

  • 人にもたれるhito ni mo ta re ru

    lean on someone

Similar words

寄りかかるyorikakaru: To place part of the body's weight against a nearby surface for support.

Definition in Japanese

体を支えとなる物に寄せかける。karada o sasa e to na ru mono ni yo se ka ke ru

Word origin

もたれる (motareru) comes from the older native form もたる (motaru), which described leaning or resting against something, while 凭れる (motareru) was adopted later to write the word with kanji.

Usage tips

  • English lean on can mean relying on a person, but もたれる (motareru) in this physical sense describes bodily support against a surface.

Other meanings

  • lean onverb
  • recline onverb

Word lists with this word