依靠
yī kào HSK 6

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

他依靠父母的经济支持。
Tā yīkào fùmǔ de jīngjì zhīchí.
He relies on his parents' financial support.
公司依靠新技术发展。
Gōngsī yīkào xīn jìshù fāzhǎn.
The company depends on new technology to develop.
我们依靠团队合作成功。
Wǒmen yīkào tuánduì hézuò chénggōng.
We rely on teamwork to succeed.
我依靠父母。
Wǒ yīkào fùmǔ.
I rely on my parents.
他依靠朋友。
Tā yīkào péngyou.
He depends on friends.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters: 依 (yī) means 'to lean on' and 靠 (kào) means 'to lean against.' Imagine leaning against a reliable tree (依靠) for support—this visualizes dependence.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is common in contexts discussing personal relationships (e.g., family support), professional dependencies, or abstract reliance (e.g., on technology or policies). It can imply emotional, physical, or financial dependence.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a transitive verb: Subject + 依靠 + Object (e.g., 他依靠奖学金上学). Can also be used as a noun meaning 'support' or 'backing' (e.g., 他是家里的依靠). In negative advice, it appears in structures like 不要依靠... (don't rely on...).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, there is a traditional emphasis on family interdependence, making 依靠 common in familial contexts. However, modern values also encourage self-reliance (依靠自己), as seen in the example sentence, reflecting a balance between collective support and individual effort.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 依赖 (yīlài), which often implies over-reliance or addiction, 依靠 is more neutral and general. 凭 (píng) means 'by means of' and is more about using a tool or basis, while 依靠 focuses on the act of depending.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 依靠 in CILI →

Related Words