依

yī

亻 + 衣

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

yī (verb) to depend on; to rely on

yī (preposition) according to; based on

yī (verb) to comply with; to follow

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 衣 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 衣

About

依 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 亻 (person) indicates the meaning, while 衣 (yī, 'clothing') provides the sound. Its original meaning is to lean on someone or something for physical support. This concrete sense of leaning gave rise to abstract meanings: depending on others for emotional or financial backing, complying with rules, and following established guidelines. The character thus captures a transition from physical leaning to dependence and conformity.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我依然喜欢这里。

Wǒ yīrán xǐhuān zhèlǐ.

I still like it here.

孩子依靠父母长大。

Háizi yīkào fùmǔ zhǎng dà.

Children rely on their parents to grow up.

依据法律，这是违法的。

Yījù fǎlǜ, zhè shì wéifǎ de.

According to the law, this is illegal.

请依次排队入场。

Qǐng yīcì páiduì rù chǎng.

Please enter in order by queuing up.

他太依赖手机了。

Tā tài yīlài shǒujī le.

He is too dependent on his phone.

依照计划，我们明天出发。

Yīzhào jìhuà, wǒmen míngtiān chūfā.

According to the plan, we will depart tomorrow.

尽管困难重重，他依然依靠自己的努力取得了成功。

Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, tā yīrán yīkào zìjǐ de nǔlì qǔdéle chénggōng.

Despite numerous difficulties, he still relied on his own efforts to achieve success.

在缺乏明确依据的情况下，我们必须依照相关规定依次处理这些依赖外部资源的问题。

Zài quēfá míngquè yījù de qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen bìxū yīzhào xiāngguān guīdìng yīcì chǔlǐ zhèxiē yīlài wàibù zīyuán de wèntí.

In the absence of clear basis, we must handle these problems that depend on external resources in accordance with relevant regulations in order.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 衣

Example Words