Definition
倚 (yǐ) is a literary/formal verb meaning both 'to lean on' physically and 'to rely on' figuratively. For physical leaning, 靠 (kào) is the common everyday word; 倚 is more poetic or written. For reliance, 倚 is similar to 依靠 (yīkào) but with a classical feel, and is less negative than 依赖 (yīlài 'to depend on'). To lean on a cane, use 拄 (zhǔ).
verb
to lean on (physically)to rely on (figuratively)
Easily confused
- 骑qílook-aliketo ride (a horse, bike, or other vehicle one sits astride)
- 一yīsound-alikeone; a (used before measure words)
- 寄jìlook-aliketo send (by mail), to mail, to post
- 以yǐsound-alike(preposition) by means of; using
- 已yǐsound-alikealready
- 移yísound-aliketo move, to shift
- 亿yìsound-alike100 million
- 依yīsound-alike(verb) to rely on, to depend on
- 亦yìsound-alikealso; as well
- 乙yǐsound-alikesecond of the ten Heavenly Stems (天干); second in order; B
Examples
- 倚。Tā yǐ zhe lángān kàn hǎi.He leaned on the railing to look at the sea.
- 倚。Tā yǐ lài jiārén de zhīchí.He relies on his family's support.
- 。Zhège fāng'àn yǐ kào shùjù fēnxī.This plan relies on data analysis.
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