Japanese word

頼み

Pronunciation

Romajitanomi

Meaning

  • nounfavor

Example

一つ頼みがあります。hito tsu tano mi ga a ri ma su

I have one favor to ask.

Illustration for 頼み (favor)

More examples

友人に頼みを聞いてもらいました。yū jin ni tano mi o ki i te mo ra i ma shi ta

I had a friend do me a favor.

Core concept

Centers on asking another person to do something for the speaker, whether as a personal favor or a straightforward request.

Common phrases

  • 頼みを聞くtano mi o ki ku

    do a favor

  • 頼みを断るtano mi o kotowa ru

    refuse a request

  • 頼みがあるtano mi ga a ru

    have a favor to ask

Similar words

お願いonegai: A polite request for another person's help or action.
頼み事tanomigoto: A matter or task that someone asks another person to take care of.
依頼irai: A formal request for someone to carry out a task or service.

Definition in Japanese

他人に何かをしてもらうよう願い求めること。ta nin ni nan ka o shi te mo ra u yō nega i moto me ru ko to

Word origin

頼み (tanomi) is the noun form of 頼む (tanomu, "to ask or rely on"), a native Japanese verb whose stem forms this noun.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English favor, which often suggests a kindness received, 頼み (tanomi) can refer neutrally to a request for someone else's action.

Other meanings

  • requestnoun

Related words

  • 頼み方tanomikataway of askingnoun

Word lists with this word