1.
relying on divine help; praying to God as a last resort
Turning to the gods or to prayer when all other options have been exhausted. Implies a desperate or helpless situation.
もう神頼みしかない。
All we can do now is pray.
試験前に神頼みをしても意味がない。
Praying before an exam won't do any good.
努力もせずに神頼みばかりしていては何も変わらない。
Nothing will change if you just pray without making any effort.
FORMATION:
神 (god) + 頼み (reliance, request). Rendaku changes たのみ to だのみ.
USAGE:
Often used in the expression 神頼みしかない (there's nothing left but to pray). Carries a nuance of desperation — the speaker has tried everything else and has no remaining options. Can also be used critically, to suggest someone is being lazy or passive.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 神頼みをする (to pray to the gods)
- 神頼みしかない (praying is all that's left)
- 最後の神頼み (a last-ditch prayer)