Usage of 靠 (kào)
The character 靠 primarily means "to lean on" or "to rely on," and it also indicates proximity, such as "near" or "next to." It can be used both literally and figuratively.
Literal use
When used literally, 靠 describes physically leaning against something, like a wall or a chair. For example, "他靠在墙上休息" means "He is resting leaning against the wall."
Indicating proximity
靠 can describe location, meaning "close to" or "nearby." For example, "我们家靠海" means "Our home is near the sea."
Figurative use
Figuratively, 靠 means "to depend on" or "to rely on" someone or something for support or help. For example, "他靠朋友的帮助才完成了这个项目" means "He completed the project relying on his friends' help."
Common collocations
- 靠墙 (kào qiáng): lean against the wall
- 靠近 (kào jìn): to approach, to be close to
- 靠朋友 (kào péngyǒu): rely on friends
Notes
When using 靠 to mean "rely on," it often implies dependence and sometimes vulnerability. It is more direct than some synonyms like 依靠 but is very common in spoken and written Chinese. Avoid confusing 靠 with 靠近, which specifically means "to be near" but does not imply dependence.