yīlài: 依赖 - To Rely On, To Depend On, Dependence

• Keywords: yilai, 依赖, depend on Chinese, rely on Chinese, dependence in Chinese, what does yilai mean, Chinese word for rely, Chinese for dependence, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 依赖 (yīlài), which means “to depend on” or “to rely on.” This guide explores its use in describing everything from a child's natural reliance on a parent to a country's economic dependence and the negative connotations of being overly needy or addicted. Discover the cultural nuances that make dependence in China different from the Western concept of independence.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yīlài
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To depend on, to rely on; the state of dependence.
• In a Nutshell: 依赖 (yīlài) describes a state of needing someone or something for support, survival, or psychological comfort. It can be neutral, like a plant depending on the sun, but often carries a warning that too much dependence can be a weakness. Think of it as the deep-seated need to lean on something, which can be either a source of strength or a vulnerability.

• 依 (yī): This character shows a person (人) next to clothing (衣). The original idea is of a person leaning against something for support, just as one relies on clothing for warmth and protection. It means “to rely on” or “to comply with.”
• 赖 (lài): This character is more complex. On its own, it can mean “to rely on,” but it can also carry negative meanings like “to disavow,” “to blame,” or even “to be rascally.” In this word, it contributes the core sense of reliance and dependence.
• Together: The combination 依 (yī) + 赖 (lài) creates a strong, specific term for “dependence.” The doubling of the “rely on” concept emphasizes a deep, often essential, connection where one party cannot easily function without the other.

In Western cultures, particularly in the United States, “independence” is a highly prized virtue. Being called “dependent” is often an insult, implying weakness or immaturity. In China, the concept of 依赖 (yīlài) is far more nuanced and context-driven. While excessive or unhealthy dependence is viewed negatively, a certain level of mutual dependence is the very fabric of Chinese society, which is built on a collectivist foundation.

• Family and Filial Piety: Children are expected to 依赖 their parents for support well into young adulthood. In return, parents expect to be able to 依赖 their children in their old age. This is not seen as a burden but as a natural cycle and a core part of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn), or filial piety. It's a system of reciprocal care.
• Interdependence vs. Independence: The Western ideal is often the “self-made man” who stands alone. The traditional Chinese ideal is the “harmonious person” who exists within a network of relationships. Therefore, mutual 依赖 within the family or a close-knit group is seen as a sign of a strong, healthy unit, not individual weakness. Where an American might say, “I don't want to be a burden,” a Chinese person might express a need for help as a way of reinforcing a close bond.

The connotation of 依赖 (yīlài) shifts dramatically based on context.

• Neutral/Natural Dependence: This is the most common usage. It simply states a fact without judgment.
  • Children on parents: 孩子很依赖父母。(Háizi hěn yīlài fùmǔ.) - Children really depend on their parents.
  • Economy on resources: 这个国家依赖石油进口。(Zhège guójiā yīlài shíyóu jìnkǒu.) - This country depends on oil imports.
• Negative Connotation (Over-reliance): When modified by adverbs like “太 (tài - too)” or “过于 (guòyú - excessively),” 依赖 becomes a criticism. It implies being clingy, needy, or lacking self-sufficiency.
  • In relationships: 他太依赖他女朋友了，什么事都让她做决定。(Tā tài yīlài tā nǚpéngyou le, shénme shì dōu ràng tā zuò juédìng.) - He's too dependent on his girlfriend; he lets her make all the decisions.
• Medical/Psychological Context (Addiction): In a formal context, 依赖 is the clinical term for “dependence” as in addiction.
  • Drug dependence: 药物依赖 (yàowù yīlài)
  • Alcohol dependence: 酒精依赖 (jiǔjīng yīlài)

• Example 1:
  • 孩子们在经济上仍然依赖他们的父母。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen zài jīngjì shàng réngrán yīlài tāmen de fùmǔ.
  • English: The children still depend on their parents financially.
  • Analysis: This is a neutral, factual statement. The phrase `在…上 (zài…shàng)` is used to specify the area of dependence (“in terms of economics”).
• Example 2:
  • 你不能总是依赖别人，要学会独立。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zǒngshì yīlài biérén, yào xuéhuì dúlì.
  • English: You can't always rely on other people; you have to learn to be independent.
  • Analysis: This is advice or a light criticism. It contrasts 依赖 (yīlài) directly with its antonym, 独立 (dúlì - independent).
• Example 3:
  • 现代人过于依赖手机，都忘了怎么记路了。
  • Pinyin: Xiàndài rén guòyú yīlài shǒujī, dōu wàng le zěnme jì lù le.
  • English: Modern people are too reliant on their phones; they've forgotten how to remember directions.
  • Analysis: The adverb `过于 (guòyú - excessively)` gives 依赖 a clearly negative meaning, highlighting a modern social problem.
• Example 4:
  • 这种植物的生长依赖于充足的阳光。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng zhíwù de shēngzhǎng yīlài yú chōngzú de yángguāng.
  • English: The growth of this plant depends on ample sunlight.
  • Analysis: Here, 依赖 is used with `于 (yú)` to mean “depends on.” This structure is common in more formal or scientific writing.
• Example 5:
  • 她对咖啡因有很强的依赖。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì kāfēiyīn yǒu hěn qiáng de yīlài.
  • English: She has a strong dependence on caffeine.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 依赖 functions as a noun (“dependence”). The structure `对…有…的依赖 (duì…yǒu…de yīlài)` means “to have a dependence on…”.
• Example 6:
  • 我们的成功依赖于团队的合作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de chénggōng yīlài yú tuánduì de hézuò.
  • English: Our success depends on the team's cooperation.
  • Analysis: A neutral, business-context sentence. Again, the `依赖于 (yīlài yú)` structure is used to link the outcome (success) to the condition (cooperation).
• Example 7:
  • 不要对一个人产生情感依赖，这很危险。
  • Pinyin: Búyào duì yí ge rén chǎnshēng qínggǎn yīlài, zhè hěn wēixiǎn.
  • English: Don't develop an emotional dependence on one person; it's very dangerous.
  • Analysis: Here, 依赖 is used as a noun, specifically `情感依赖 (qínggǎn yīlài)`, or “emotional dependence.” This is almost always seen as negative and risky.
• Example 8:
  • 小猫完全依赖主人给它喂食。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo māo wánquán yīlài zhǔrén gěi tā wèishí.
  • English: The kitten completely depends on its owner to feed it.
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral description of a natural state of dependence for a pet. `完全 (wánquán)` means “completely.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个小岛的经济非常依赖旅游业。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo dǎo de jīngjì fēicháng yīlài lǚyóuyè.
  • English: This small island's economy is extremely dependent on tourism.
  • Analysis: A neutral, economic context. `非常 (fēicháng)` simply means “extremely” and describes the degree of dependence without negative judgment.
• Example 10:
  • 作为领导，你必须成为员工可以依赖的人。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, nǐ bìxū chéngwéi yuángōng kěyǐ yīlài de rén.
  • English: As a leader, you must become a person your employees can depend on.
  • Analysis: This is one of the few contexts where 依赖 is framed as a positive, desirable quality. It's similar to “dependable” or “reliable” here.

• 依赖 (yīlài) vs. 依靠 (yīkào): This is a key distinction for learners.
  • 依靠 (yīkào): Often refers to more tangible, physical, or financial support. It's like having a pillar to lean on. It's generally neutral or positive. (e.g., 他是家庭的依靠 - He is the pillar/support of the family.)
  • 依赖 (yīlài): Leans more toward psychological or emotional need. It implies that one cannot function well without the other. While it can be neutral, it can easily slide into a negative meaning of being “needy” or “helpless.”
• False Friend: “It depends”
  • English speakers often want to use 依赖 to say “it depends on the situation.” This is incorrect.
  • INCORRECT: ~~这依赖情况。~~ (Zhè yīlài qíngkuàng.)
  • CORRECT: To express conditionality, you should use 看情况 (kàn qíngkuàng - literally “look at the situation”) or the more formal 取决于 (qǔjué yú - to be determined by).
  • Example: “Are you going tomorrow?” “It depends.” → “你明天去吗？” “看情况。” (Nǐ míngtiān qù ma? Kàn qíngkuàng.)
  • Example: “Success depends on hard work.” → “成功取决于努力。” (Chénggōng qǔjué yú nǔlì.)

• 依靠 (yīkào) - To rely on, to depend on. More focused on concrete, material, or financial support. Less psychological than 依赖.
• 独立 (dúlì) - Independent. The direct antonym of 依赖.
• 取决于 (qǔjué yú) - To depend on (conditional). The correct term for “A depends on B” in a logical or situational sense.
• 信赖 (xìnlài) - To trust and rely on. A very positive term that combines the trust of 信任 (xìnrèn) with the reliance of 依赖. It implies confidence in someone's character and ability.
• 上瘾 (shàngyǐn) - To be addicted to. A severe, pathological form of dependence, almost always used for substances or behaviors (e.g., games, gambling).
• 靠 (kào) - To lean on, to rely on. A very common and versatile single character. It can be used more colloquially than 依赖.
• 信任 (xìnrèn) - To trust. Trust is a prerequisite for positive dependence, but it isn't dependence itself. You can trust someone without being dependent on them.
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety. A core cultural value that creates a system of mutual dependence between parents and children.