How to say "reliable" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 頼もしいたのもしいi-adjectiveThe word for a person you can depend on and trust — someone whose reliability is reassuring. Fits a dependable colleague or leader whose support gives you confidence.彼は頼もしい男だ。↗He is a man to be depended on.
- 確実かくじつna-adjective, nounReliability in the sense of certainty: a method, plan or piece of information that is sure and will not fail. Choose it when the point is that the result is guaranteed.
- 着実ちゃくじつna-adjective, nounReliability as steady, solid progress: work, results or growth that advance soundly, step by step. Fits talk of progress toward a goal rather than of a person you trust.
- 地道じみちna-adjective, nounOnly loosely a match for 'reliable': it really describes steady, honest, unshowy effort — working patiently without shortcuts — rather than something you can rely on. Seldom the word you want for 'reliable' itself.
- 堅実けんじつna-adjectiveReliability as soundness and stability, especially in business: a safe, steady way of running things. The nuance is prudence — sound and stable rather than emotionally reassuring.
Use 「頼もしい」 for people you can count on, 確実 for methods or information sure to work, 着実 for steady progress, 堅実 for sound, safe business practice, and 地道 for patient, honest effort rather than reliability.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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