Japanese word

寄りかかる

Pronunciation

Romajiyorikakaru

Meaning

  • verblean against

Example

壁に寄りかかります。kabe ni yo ri ka ka ri ma su

I lean against the wall.

Illustration for 寄りかかる (lean against)

More examples

疲れた人がベンチの背もたれに寄りかかって休んでいます。tsuka re ta hito ga be n chi no se mo ta re ni yo ri ka ka tte yasu n de i ma su

A tired person is resting while leaning against the back of a bench.

Core concept

Describes resting one's body against a surface or object and letting it support one's weight.

Common phrases

  • 壁に寄りかかるkabe ni yo ri ka ka ru

    lean against a wall

  • 手すりに寄りかかるte su ri ni yo ri ka ka ru

    lean against a handrail

Similar words

もたれるmotareru: To let the body rest against a wall, seat, or another supporting surface.
もたれかかるmotarekakaru: To rest much of the body's weight on a person or object by leaning against it.
頼るtayoru: To seek and use the help or support of someone or something.

Definition in Japanese

体の重みを物にかけて、支えにする。karada no omo mi o mono ni ka ke te sasa e ni su ru

Word origin

寄りかかる (yorikakaru) is a native compound of the verb 寄る (yoru, "draw near") and かかる (kakaru, "rest on"), forming the sense of leaning against something.

Usage tips

  • 寄りかかる (yorikakaru) can extend from physical leaning to heavy dependence on someone, so context distinguishes bodily support from figurative reliance.

Other meanings

  • lean onverb

Opposites

  • 直立するchokuritsusurustand uprightverb

Word lists with this word