yīkào: 依靠 - To Rely On, To Depend On

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• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 依靠 (yīkào), which means “to rely on” or “depend on.” More than just a simple translation, 依靠 describes a deep sense of trust and support, like leaning on a strong pillar for stability. This entry explores its cultural significance in family and society, how it differs from the similar word 依赖 (yīlài), and provides practical examples for using it to talk about everything from personal relationships to national economies.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yīkào
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To rely on or depend on someone or something for support.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine you are physically tired and you lean against a wall for support. That feeling of trust and stability is the core of 依靠. It's used for any situation where you place your trust in something or someone else for support, whether it's a child depending on their parents, a company relying on its investors, or a person counting on their own hard work to succeed.

• 依 (yī): This character is composed of the “person” radical (亻) and a phonetic component. It means “to rely on,” “to depend on,” or “according to.” Picture a person (亻) leaning on something for support.
• 靠 (kào): This character means “to lean against,” “to be near,” or “to rely on.” It very directly evokes the physical act of leaning on something for stability.
• The combination of 依 and 靠 creates a powerful and vivid term. It doubles down on the meaning, reinforcing the concept of “depending and leaning.” It’s not a passive dependency, but an active choice to trust something or someone as a source of strength.

In Chinese culture, interdependence is often valued as much as, if not more than, individual independence. The concept of 依靠 is central to this worldview. It's seen as a natural and virtuous part of the social fabric, particularly within the family.

• Family Structure: Children are expected to 依靠 their parents for support, and in turn, elderly parents 依靠 their adult children for care. This reciprocal reliance is a cornerstone of filial piety (孝, xiào) and is considered a source of social harmony, not a sign of weakness.
• Comparison to Western “Independence”: In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, “independence” and “self-reliance” are held as supreme virtues. The word “dependent” can even carry a negative connotation, suggesting an inability to stand on one's own two feet. While China also values hard work and capability, 依靠 is viewed neutrally or positively within established relationships (family, close friends, trusted colleagues). It acknowledges that no one exists in a vacuum and that we all need a support system. It's about being part of a network, not about being a burden.

依靠 is a versatile word used in many modern contexts, from daily conversation to formal reports.

• Emotional & Familial Reliance: This is the most common usage. It describes the trust and support within a family or a close friendship.
  • e.g., “孩子依靠父母。” (Children rely on their parents.)
• Economic & Financial Reliance: Used to talk about depending on a source of income, resources, or funding.
  • e.g., “这个国家主要依靠旅游业。” (This country mainly relies on the tourism industry.)
• Abstract Reliance: You can rely on intangible things like your own abilities, principles, or even luck. A very common phrase is “依靠自己的努力” (rely on one's own efforts).
• Formality: 依靠 is a standard, neutral term appropriate for both spoken and written Chinese. It's slightly more formal than using the single character 靠 (kào) by itself, but is perfectly fine in everyday conversation.

• Example 1:
  • 孩子完全依靠他们的父母生活。
  • Pinyin: Háizi wánquán yīkào tāmen de fùmǔ shēnghuó.
  • English: Children completely rely on their parents to live.
  • Analysis: A classic, straightforward example showing the fundamental dependency relationship in a family.
• Example 2:
  • 我们不能总是依靠别人，要学会独立。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng zǒngshì yīkào biérén, yào xuéhuì dúlì.
  • English: We can't always rely on other people; we must learn to be independent.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts 依靠 with its antonym, 独立 (dúlì - independent), highlighting a key life lesson often taught in China.
• Example 3:
  • 这个国家的经济主要依靠石油出口。
  • Pinyin: Zhège guójiā de jīngjì zhǔyào yīkào shíyóu chūkǒu.
  • English: This country's economy mainly relies on oil exports.
  • Analysis: Shows 依靠 used in a formal, economic context.
• Example 4:
  • 他失去了工作，现在只能依靠积蓄过日子。
  • Pinyin: Tā shīqùle gōngzuò, xiànzài zhǐ néng yīkào jīxù guò rìzi.
  • English: He lost his job and can now only rely on his savings to get by.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates relying on a financial resource (savings).
• Example 5:
  • 作为朋友，你 언제든지可以依靠我。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi péngyǒu, nǐ suíshí kěyǐ yīkào wǒ.
  • English: As a friend, you can rely on me anytime.
  • Analysis: A warm and common phrase used to offer emotional support and build trust between friends.
• Example 6:
  • 在野外，你必须依靠自己的判断力。
  • Pinyin: Zài yěwài, nǐ bìxū yīkào zìjǐ de pànduàn lì.
  • English: In the wild, you must rely on your own judgment.
  • Analysis: Shows how you can rely on an abstract skill or ability.
• Example 7:
  • 这家小公司依靠一个大客户才生存下来。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā xiǎo gōngsī yīkào yīgè dà kèhù cái shēngcún xiàlái.
  • English: This small company survives only by relying on one big client.
  • Analysis: This highlights a potentially risky dependency in a business context.
• Example 8:
  • 与其依靠运气，不如依靠努力。
  • Pinyin: Yǔqí yīkào yùnqì, bùrú yīkào nǔlì.
  • English: Rather than relying on luck, it's better to rely on hard work.
  • Analysis: A motivational phrase that contrasts two potential sources of support, valuing effort over chance.
• Example 9:
  • 盲人依靠导盲犬走路。
  • Pinyin: Mángrén yīkào dǎomángquǎn zǒulù.
  • English: A blind person relies on a guide dog to walk.
  • Analysis: A very clear example of dependency for a critical function.
• Example 10:
  • 我们的成功依靠的是团队合作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de chénggōng yīkào de shì tuánduì hézuò.
  • English: Our success relies on teamwork.
  • Analysis: Here, 依靠 is used with the 是…的 (shì…de) structure to emphasize what is being relied upon (teamwork).

The biggest pitfall for learners is confusing 依靠 (yīkào) with 依赖 (yīlài). While both translate to “rely on,” their connotations are different.

• 依靠 (yīkào): Generally neutral or positive. It implies a trustworthy foundation or support system. You can choose to 依靠 something. A healthy, strong person can still 依靠 their friends for emotional support. A key test: You can 依靠自己的努力 (yīkào zìjǐ de nǔlì - rely on your own efforts).
• 依赖 (yīlài): Often has a negative connotation of over-dependence, helplessness, or addiction. It implies an inability to function without something or someone. A person who is 依赖 their parents may be seen as immature.
  • Incorrect: 他依靠酒精。 (Tā yīkào jiǔjīng.) - This sounds a bit too neutral, like alcohol is a legitimate support pillar.
  • Correct: 他依赖酒精。 (Tā yīlài jiǔjīng.) - This correctly implies a dependency or addiction.
  • You would never say “依赖自己的努力” (yīlài zìjǐ de nǔlì), as it makes no sense to be “addicted” to your own efforts in this context.

Think of it this way: 依靠 is “to count on,” while 依赖 is “to be dependent on.”

• 依赖 (yīlài) - A close synonym, but often implies a negative over-dependence or addiction.
• 支持 (zhīchí) - To support. This is the action that someone does for you, which allows you to 依靠 them.
• 信任 (xìnrèn) - To trust. Trust is the essential prerequisite for you to be able to 依靠 someone.
• 独立 (dúlì) - Independent. The direct antonym to being overly reliant on others.
• 靠 (kào) - To lean on; to rely on. The root character of 依靠. It can be used alone and is slightly more colloquial. (e.g., “靠你了!” - “Counting on you!”).
• 指望 (zhǐwàng) - To count on; to hope for. Similar to 依靠 but with a stronger sense of looking towards the future and hoping for a specific outcome.
• 信赖 (xìnlài) - To trust and rely on. A combination of 信任 (trust) and 依赖 (rely), it's a very strong, positive term used for people or brands you have deep faith in. More formal than 依靠.
• 凭 (píng) - To rely on; on the basis of. Often used when talking about evidence, qualifications, or authority. (e.g., “你凭什么这么说?” - “On what basis do you say that?”).