信じると信用するの違い｜英語での使い分けと関連フレーズ

Sometimes in English, two words can seem to mean the same thing, but we use them in different ways.

Believe and trust are both about having confidence in something or someone, but they are not always interchangeable - we can’t use them both in every situation.

Let’s look at the differences, and learn some useful related phrases!

1. Believe – Thinking Something Is True

We use believe when we think something is true, or when we accept that something is real.

• I believe her story. (I think her story is true.)

• Do you believe in ghosts? (Do you think ghosts are real?)

• I believe it will rain tomorrow. (I think this is likely to happen.)

Believe in can also mean having faith or confidence in someone’s ability:

• I believe in you. (I think you will succeed.)

2. Trust – Relying on Someone or Something

We use trust when we feel confident that someone or something will do what they should, or will act in a good, honest, or safe way.

• I trust my best friend completely. (I know they will not lie to me or hurt me.)

• Can we trust this information? (Is this information reliable?)

• You can trust the train system here. (It is reliable.)

3. Believe vs. Trust – The Key Difference

• Believe is about what you think is true. It is in your mind.

• Trust is about what you feel is safe and dependable. It often comes from experience.

Example:

• I believe she is telling the truth. (I think her words are true.)

• I trust her. (I feel she is honest and dependable in general.)

4. Related Words and Phrases

Faith - noun - strong belief or trust, often without proof.

• He has faith in his team. (He believes and trusts them completely.)

Confident - adjective - feeling sure about something.

• I am confident we will win the game. (I believe strongly this will happen.)

Rely on - phrasal verb - depend on someone or something.

• I can rely on him to be on time. (I trust he won’t be late.)

Cultural Note: ‘Trust’ in British English

In British English, trust is often used in everyday conversation to talk about reliability and relationships. For example, “I wouldn’t trust that old car on a long trip” means the car might not be reliable.

British speakers may also use trust me in casual conversation - “Trust me!” to mean “You should believe me, because I’m telling the truth” - often in a friendly or persuasive tone.

Practice

Choose the correct word: believe or trust.

1. I don’t ______ the weather forecast – it’s often wrong.

2. Do you ______ in life after death?

3. I ______ my teacher to help me before the test.

4. She says she can fix the computer, but I don’t ______ her.

5. I can’t ______ he ate the whole cake!

Possible answers:

1. trust

2. believe

3. trust

4. believe

5. believe