頼(たよ)りない

たよりない
adjective (i)
unreliable; undependable; flimsy
1. unreliable; undependable; unsteady
Describes a person, thing, or situation that does not inspire confidence and cannot be counted on.
彼(かれ)はちょっと頼(たよ)りない。
He's a bit unreliable.
頼(たよ)りない返事(へんじ)に不安(ふあん)を感(かん)じた。
I felt uneasy at the wishy-washy reply.
入社(にゅうしゃ)したばかりの頃(ころ)は頼(たよ)りなく見(み)えたが、今(いま)ではすっかり一人前(いちにんまえ)だ。
He seemed unreliable when he first joined the company, but now he's fully competent.

An i-adjective formed from 頼(たよ)り + ない.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 頼(たよ)りなく
  • Noun form: 頼(たよ)りなさ

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 頼(たよ)りない人(ひと) (unreliable person)
  • 頼(たよ)りない返事(へんじ) (vague/uncertain reply)
  • 頼(たよ)りなく見(み)える (look unreliable)

The opposite is 頼(たよ)もしい (reliable, reassuring).

general
Added 2026.3.2 18:29
14500/14635_tayorinai