Japanese word

依頼

Pronunciation

Romajiirai

Meaning

  • nounrequest

Example

会社に仕事を依頼しました。kai sha ni shi goto o i rai shi ma shi ta

I requested that the company do the work.

Illustration for 依頼 (request)

More examples

父に荷物の受け取りを依頼しました。chichi ni ni motsu no u ke to ri o i rai shi ma shi ta

I asked my father to receive the package.

Core concept

It involves asking another party to take responsibility for carrying out a particular task.

Common phrases

  • 修理を依頼するshū ri o i rai su ru

    request a repair

  • 依頼を受けるi rai o u ke ru

    receive a request

  • 依頼に応じるi rai ni ō ji ru

    respond to a request

Similar words

頼みtanomi: A request that someone help by doing a particular thing.
要請yōsei: A formal request that a person or organization take specific action.

Definition in Japanese

相手に仕事や用事を引き受けて実行するよう頼むこと。ai te ni shi goto ya yō ji o hi ki u ke te jik kō su ru yō tano mu ko to

Word origin

依頼 (irai) combines 依 (i, "depend on") with 頼 (rai, "ask or rely on"), so its form reflects asking someone else to act on one's behalf.

Usage tips

  • 依頼する (irai suru) is common when arranging services or professional work, while everyday requests between friends more often use 頼む (tanomu).

Opposites

Related words

  • 依頼するiraisurumake a requestverb
  • 依頼者iraisharequesternoun
  • 依頼人iraininclientnoun

Word lists with this word