Definitions
About
The character 靠 is an ideogrammatic compound formed by combining 告 (gào, "to tell") on top with 非 (fēi, "not" or "opposing sides") below. Its original meaning refers to the physical act of leaning against something for support, like resting one's back against a wall, with the bottom component evoking a back-to-back posture. From this literal sense of using an object or another person for backing, the meaning extended to abstract notions of reliance and dependency. Thus, 靠 is now commonly used to express trusting someone, depending on resources for survival, staying close to a place, or relying on a particular method to achieve a result.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请靠近我一点。
我们依靠父母。
车子靠边停了。
这个人很靠谱。
他有靠山支持。
学习要靠自己努力。
经济发展不能只靠出口。
在困难的时候，朋友可以靠得住。