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March 24, 2026
依赖(依賴)yīlài(yi1lai4)
依赖 (yīlài) means to depend on or be dependent on someone or something for support or resources. It is often used in contexts where someone relies on another for emotional, financial, or physical support, indicating a lack of independence.
Strokes21Frequency#5565DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of family support and reliance on relatives is strong, especially in rural areas. 依赖 reflects the societal expectation that family members assist each other, highlighting the importance of interdependence.
Memory Tip
Think of 依 (yī) as 'to depend on' and 赖 (lài) as 'to rely'. Picture a person leaning on a crutch (赖) for support. The crutch symbolizes dependency, while the character's form suggests leaning or relying on something for stability.
Meanings of 依赖
yīlài(yi1lai4)
1to depend on
2to be dependent on
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About 依赖
依赖Simplified
依賴Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5565Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 依赖
Podcast: 依赖
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AI Study Notes for 依赖
Quick Contrast
依赖 (yīlài) vs 依靠 (yīkào) — use 依赖 when emphasizing emotional or psychological dependence, while 依靠 is more about physical reliance or support.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 依赖 in contexts where dependency is clear; it can carry a negative connotation if overused. It is more formal than its synonyms, so use it in written or serious spoken contexts. Common collocations include 经济依赖 (economic dependence) and 过度依赖 (over-dependence).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 依赖 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to relationships and support systems. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences and understanding its nuances in different contexts, especially in discussions about dependency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 依赖 with 依靠 (yīkào), thinking they are interchangeable. While both mean 'to depend on', 依赖 implies a deeper, often emotional, dependency, while 依靠 can refer to any form of support. For example, saying '我依赖我的朋友' (I depend on my friend) suggests a stronger emotional connection than '我依靠我的朋友' (I rely on my friend).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 依赖
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依赖 (yīlài) means to depend on or be dependent on someone or something for support or resources. It is often used in contexts where someone relies on another for emotional, financial, or physical support, indicating a lack of independence.
When to use 依赖
Be careful to use 依赖 in contexts where dependency is clear; it can carry a negative connotation if overused. It is more formal than its synonyms, so use it in written or serious spoken contexts. Common collocations include 经济依赖 (economic dependence) and 过度依赖 (over-dependence).
依赖 or something close to it
依赖 (yīlài) vs 依靠 (yīkào) — use 依赖 when emphasizing emotional or psychological dependence, while 依靠 is more about physical reliance or support.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 依赖 with 依靠 (yīkào), thinking they are interchangeable. While both mean 'to depend on', 依赖 implies a deeper, often emotional, dependency, while 依靠 can refer to any form of support. For example, saying '我依赖我的朋友' (I depend on my friend) suggests a stronger emotional connection than '我依靠我的朋友' (I rely on my friend).
Write 依赖
依
赖
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Grammar Patterns of 依赖
依赖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
