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可靠 (kě kào) — reliable

Definition

Reliable, trustworthy (people, information, things). Broader than 踏实 (steady/thorough in work) and 稳妥 (well-considered, safe) — 可靠 applies to people, news, and objects alike.

adjective
reliable

Examples

  • 可靠。
    Tā shì yí gè kě kào de gōng rén.
    He is a reliable worker.
  • 可靠。
    Zhè ge xiāo xi hěn kě kào.
    This news is very reliable.
  • 可靠。
    Zhè liàng chē hěn kě kào.
    This car is very reliable.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěcan/worthy of
靠kàorely

“可” adds a sense of being able or worthy, and “靠” means rely, giving the idea of being relied on.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
非非fēi
Sound part声符shēngfú
告
告gào靠kào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

靠 is made of 告 and 非: 告 gives the sound, and 非 gives the meaning.

Open 靠 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Good & Bad5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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