(kào) — to lean against; to come near to; to depend on; to rely on; to trust

Definition

靠 covers both senses: physical leaning ('lean against') and figurative reliance ('depend on, trust'). For the reliance sense, 依靠 is more formal and works as a noun ('support'); 凭 focuses on the basis or means ('on the basis of').

verb
to lean againstto come near toto depend onto rely onto trust

Examples

  • Tā kào zài yǐ zi shàng shuì zháo le.
    He leaned on the chair and fell asleep.
  • Zhè cì kǎo shì zhǐ néng kào zì jǐ le.
    This exam can only rely on oneself.
  • Chuán kào àn de shí hou yào zhù yì ān quán.
    Be careful when the boat approaches the dock.

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