依仗 (yī zhàng) — to rely on; to depend on

Definition

依仗 means to lean on or count on something (usually power, influence, or a person) for an advantage — often with a slightly negative sense of exploiting it. Stronger than 依靠, which is neutral 'to depend on'.

verb
to rely onto depend on

Examples

  • 依仗,。
    Tā yī zhàng jiā lǐ de shì lì, jīng cháng qī fu bié rén.
    He often bullies others by relying on his family's influence.
  • 依仗,。
    Nǐ bù néng zǒng yī zhàng bié rén de bāng zhù, yào xué huì dú lì.
    You can't always rely on others' help; you need to learn to be independent.
  • 依仗。
    Zhè ge guó jiā yī zhàng fēng fù de zì rán zī yuán fā zhǎn jīng jì.
    This country relies on its abundant natural resources to develop its economy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

依 and 仗 both mean to rely on, so together they emphasize dependence.

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
亻Written in full as人rénhuman
Sound part声符shēngfú
衣
衣yī依yī
Same sound today

依 is made from 亻, a person, plus 衣, which gives its sound.

Open 依 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 仗 →

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