信頼できる
shinrai dekiru
The English word 'reliable' is translated into Japanese as 信頼できる (shinrai dekiru).
信頼できる is used to describe both the character of a person and the validity of abstract things, such as the accuracy of news, data or information sources.
Meaning: fit to be relied on (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 信頼 (shinrai), meaning 'trust' or 'reliance' and できる (dekiru), meaning 'can do' or 'is possible'.
Which one should you use?
While 信頼できる focuses on the capacity to be trusted or the accuracy of information, 頼りになる (tayori ni naru) is more commonly used to describe a person who is 'dependable' or someone you can lean on in a practical sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the dictionary form of the verb できる, which allows it to function as an adjective modifying nouns directly.
How do you pronounce it?
shinrai dekiru
Did you know?
- In professional Japanese, instead of just saying someone is 信頼できる, people often use the phrase 厚い信頼を寄せる to describe placing 'thick' trust in someone.
- When describing a 'reliable' product or brand, Japanese speakers often use the word 安心 (anshin), which literally means 'peace of mind' or 'relief'.
- If you want to say a person is a 'reliable pillar' of a community, you might use the word 柱 (hashira), which literally means 'pillar' or 'column'.
Examples in context
- 彼女は信頼できる人だ。She is a reliable person.This is useful for describing a person as reliable using 信頼できる.Tatoeba #88599 by bunbuku, translation #315108 by CK
- 本当にこの情報は信頼できる？Are you sure this information is reliable?This is useful for questioning whether information is 信頼できる.Tatoeba #8754870 by bunbuku, translation #4013561 by CK
- トムはとても信頼できる人だ。Tom is a very reliable guy.Tatoeba #12962658 by Inu, translation #12719234 by CK
- その会社は信頼性があります。That company is reliable.
- 彼は頼もしい人です。He is a reliable person.
- このアプリは頼りになります。This app is reliable.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new team member at the office.
- 健太 Kenta新しい社員の田中さんは、信頼できる人ですか？Atarashii shain no Tanaka-san wa, shinrai dekiru hito desu ka?Is the new employee, Mr. Tanaka, a reliable person?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、彼は仕事が早くてとても信頼できる人です。Hai, kare wa shigoto ga hayakute totemo shinrai dekiru hito desu.Yes, he is a very reliable person who works quickly.
- 健太 Kentaそれは心強いですね。Sore wa kokorozuyoi desu ne.That is encouraging to hear.
- 美咲 Misakiええ、チームに新しい風が吹いています。Ee, chiimu ni atarashii kaze ga fuite imasu.Yes, he is bringing a fresh breeze to the team.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
