依赖

• Pinyin: yī lài
• Hanzi breakdown: 依 = 亻 (person) + 衣 (clothing), meaning to rely on; 赖 = 束 (bundle) + 贝 (shell/money), meaning to depend on

Meaning

To rely on; to depend on; dependence. The state of needing something or someone for support.

Can be neutral (依赖父母 rely on parents) or negative (过度依赖 excessive dependence). Used in psychology (依赖症 dependency), economics (能源依赖 energy dependence), and technology (依赖项 dependencies). Stronger than 依靠.

Examples

1. 年轻人不应该过度依赖父母。 Young people should not rely too much on their parents.
2. 这个国家对进口能源的依赖程度很高。 This country has a high degree of dependence on imported energy.
3. 她对手机产生了严重的依赖。 She has developed a serious dependence on her phone.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, economics, relationships

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 不要太依赖别人。(Don't rely too much on others.)
• 经济对出口的依赖很大。(The economy is heavily dependent on exports.)

Don't Say

• 依赖着他 — 依赖后面直接加宾语，不需要'着'

Origin & History

Compound of 依 (to rely on) + 赖 (to depend on, blame). Two characters with similar meanings reinforcing dependence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal