拠(よ)り所(どころ)

よりどころ
noun
basis, foundation, support
1. basis, foundation, grounds
Something that serves as the basis or grounds for a judgment, action, or claim.
その主張(しゅちょう)には拠(よ)り所(どころ)がない。
That claim has no basis.
法律(ほうりつ)を拠(よ)り所(どころ)にして判断(はんだん)する。
Make judgments based on the law.
科学的(かがくてき)な拠(よ)り所(どころ)のない情報(じょうほう)をうのみにしてはいけない。
You should not blindly accept information that has no scientific basis.
2. emotional support, source of comfort
A person, thing, or idea that provides emotional or psychological support and stability.
家族(かぞく)が心(こころ)の拠(よ)り所(どころ)だ。
My family is my emotional anchor.
故郷(ふるさと)を離(はな)れて、拠(よ)り所(どころ)のない気持(きも)ちになった。
After leaving my hometown, I felt adrift with nothing to hold on to.
辛(つら)いときに音楽(おんがく)が拠(よ)り所(どころ)になってくれた。
During hard times, music was a source of comfort for me.

Usage

Can function as both a concrete basis for reasoning (sense 1) and an emotional pillar (sense 2). Often written in mixed script as 拠(よ)り所(どころ), though also seen in kana as よりどころ or in full kanji as 拠所(よりどころ). The pattern 心(こころ)の拠(よ)り所(どころ) (emotional anchor) is very common.

Common collocations

  • 心(こころ)の拠(よ)り所(どころ): emotional anchor/support
  • 拠(よ)り所(どころ)がない: to have no basis / to feel adrift
  • 拠(よ)り所(どころ)にする: to rely on as a foundation

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 根拠(こんきょ) (evidence, grounds)
Compare: 支(ささ)え (support, prop)
general
Added 2026.2.22 21:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12866_yoridokoro