At a glance
[Noun] を頼りに means "relying on [noun]" or "using [noun] as a guide". It shows what you depend on, such as a map, a memory or a person, while you do something.
[Noun] を頼りに [action]
地図を頼りに、山道を歩いた。 I walked the mountain path, relying on a map.
How to form it
を頼りに comes after a noun and is followed by an action.
| Attaches to | Form | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | Nを頼りに | 地図を頼りに | Neutral |
| Noun | Nを頼りにして | 記憶を頼りにして | Neutral |
| Clause + noun | [clause] Nを頼りに | 友達が教えてくれた住所を頼りに | Neutral |
Politeness comes from the verb at the end: 歩きました (polite), 歩いた (casual).