靠谱

• Pinyin: kào pǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 靠 (rely on) + 谱 (standard/score) -> can be relied upon.

Meaning

Reliable, trustworthy, or likely to work.

It describes people, plans, information, products, or services. The tone is approving and practical, with strong everyday usefulness.

Examples

1. 这个师傅很靠谱，价格也透明。 This mechanic is really靠谱, and the prices are transparent too.
2. 计划听起来挺靠谱。 The plan sounds pretty靠谱.
3. 找靠谱的人合作，省很多麻烦。 Working with靠谱 people saves a lot of trouble.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, friends, services

Tone: practical, approving

Do Say

• 他办事很靠谱。（He is reliable.）
• 这个消息来源靠谱吗？（Is this source reliable?）

Don't Say

• 对未经核实的信息直接说靠谱。（Verify before calling it reliable.）

Common Mistakes

• Confusing it with 酷; 靠谱 is about reliability, not coolness.

Origin & History

From 谱 as a pattern or standard, with 靠谱 meaning something has a dependable basis.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern and contemporary

Generation: All generations

Social background: Broadly used

Regional notes: Common across Mainland speech.