依頼

• Reading: いらい
• Romaji: irai
• Kanji breakdown: 依 (i) — depend on, rely; 頼 (rai) — request, rely on
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾa.i/

Meaning

Request; commission. A formal act of asking someone to do something.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (依頼する). More formal than お願い and commonly used in business and professional contexts. Often paired with を to mark the request or に to indicate whom it is directed at. 依頼人 means client, and 依頼書 means a written request.

Examples

1. 弁護士に調査を依頼した。 I commissioned a lawyer to conduct an investigation.
2. お客様からの依頼に迅速に対応する。 We respond promptly to requests from our customers.
3. 友人に引っ越しの手伝いを依頼した。 I asked a friend to help me move.

Usage Guide

Context: business, legal, professional services

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Compound of 依 (i, to depend on/rely) and 頼 (rai, to request/rely on). Together, 'depending on and requesting' — entrusting someone with a task.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal