kěkào: 可靠 - Reliable, Dependable, Trustworthy

• Keywords: kěkào, 可靠, reliable Chinese, dependable Chinese, trustworthy Chinese, how to say reliable in Chinese, kěkào meaning, kěkào usage, Chinese for trustworthy, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use 可靠 (kěkào), the essential Chinese word for “reliable,” “dependable,” or “trustworthy.” This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in daily conversation and business. Discover why 可靠 is more than just a word—it's a core value in Chinese culture, crucial for building relationships and trust. Perfect for HSK 4 students and anyone wanting to sound more authentic.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kě kào
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Able to be relied upon or trusted; dependable.
• In a Nutshell: 可靠 (kěkào) describes someone or something that you can count on. It's the feeling of confidence you have when a friend says they'll help you move, a piece of information comes from a good source, or a product works exactly as it's supposed to, every time. It's a fundamental quality of stability and trustworthiness.

• 可 (kě): This character means “can,” “able to,” or “worthy of.” Think of it as a stamp of potential or approval.
• 靠 (kào): This character means “to lean on,” “to rely on,” or “to depend on.” Imagine leaning against a sturdy wall for support.
• When combined, 可靠 (kěkào) literally means “able to be leaned on” or “worthy of being relied upon.” This simple combination perfectly captures the modern meaning of being reliable and dependable.

In Chinese culture, being 可靠 (kěkào) is a paramount virtue, arguably more so than in many Western cultures. While in English, “reliable” can be purely functional (e.g., a reliable car), in Chinese, describing a person as 可靠 speaks to their fundamental character and moral integrity. This concept is deeply tied to 关系 (guānxi), the system of social networks and influential relationships. A person who is not 可靠 cannot build or maintain strong guānxi. You can't trust them with favors, secrets, or responsibilities, which are the currency of guānxi. Comparison to Western Culture: Think of the difference between a “reliable employee” and a “可靠的同事” (kěkào de tóngshì).

• A “reliable employee” in a Western context typically means they show up on time, complete their tasks, and don't cause problems. It's performance-based.
• A “可靠的同事” in a Chinese context implies all of the above, but also that they have your back, won't gossip or backstab you, and can be trusted with sensitive matters. It's about character and loyalty, not just function.

This value emphasizes long-term stability and mutual trust, which are cornerstones of Chinese social and business life.

可靠 (kěkào) is a versatile and common adjective used in many situations.

• Describing People: This is its most common and significant use. Calling someone 可靠 is a high compliment.
  • `他是一个很可靠的朋友。` (Tā shì yī ge hěn kěkào de péngyou.) - He is a very reliable friend.
• Describing Information: It's used to question or confirm the validity of news, data, or sources.
  • `这个消息可靠吗？` (Zhè ge xiāoxi kěkào ma?) - Is this news reliable?
• Describing Products and Services: It refers to quality, durability, and consistent performance.
  • `这个牌子的汽车很可靠，很少出问题。` (Zhè ge páizi de qìchē hěn kěkào, hěn shǎo chū wèntí.) - This brand of car is very reliable; it rarely has problems.
• Business Context: In business, finding a 可靠 partner or supplier is crucial for success. The term implies not just quality, but also honesty, punctuality in payments, and trustworthiness.

• Example 1:
  • 我需要一个可靠的助手来帮我完成这个项目。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī ge kěkào de zhùshǒu lái bāng wǒ wánchéng zhè ge xiàngmù.
  • English: I need a reliable assistant to help me finish this project.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of using 可靠 to describe a desired quality in a person for a professional task.
• Example 2:
  • 他的消息来源不可靠，你最好再确认一下。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xiāoxi láiyuán bù kěkào, nǐ zuìhǎo zài quèrèn yīxià.
  • English: His source of information is not reliable; you'd better double-check.
  • Analysis: Here, the negative form `不可靠 (bù kěkào)` is used to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of information.
• Example 3:
  • 在我看来，没有什么比一个可靠的朋友更重要了。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒ kànlái, méiyǒu shénme bǐ yī ge kěkào de péngyou gèng zhòngyào le.
  • English: In my opinion, nothing is more important than a dependable friend.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the deep personal value placed on reliability in a relationship.
• Example 4:
  • 我们公司的成功，离不开可靠的供应链。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de chénggōng, líbukāi kěkào de gōngyìngliàn.
  • English: Our company's success is inseparable from a reliable supply chain.
  • Analysis: Shows the importance of 可靠 in a formal business context.
• Example 5:
  • 这份数据可靠吗？我们需要用它来做决定。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn shùjù kěkào ma? Wǒmen xūyào yòng tā lái zuò juédìng.
  • English: Is this data reliable? We need to use it to make a decision.
  • Analysis: A common and practical question when dealing with reports, statistics, or any form of data.
• Example 6:
  • 虽然他很聪明，但他做事不可靠，所以老板不信任他。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán tā hěn cōngming, dàn tā zuòshì bù kěkào, suǒyǐ lǎobǎn bù xìnrèn tā.
  • English: Although he is very smart, he is not dependable in his work, so the boss doesn't trust him.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights that intelligence and reliability are two different qualities, with the latter often being more valued.
• Example 7:
  • 我一直在用这个牌子的手机，非常可靠。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yīzhí zài yòng zhè ge páizi de shǒujī, fēicháng kěkào.
  • English: I've been using this brand of phone all along; it's extremely reliable.
  • Analysis: A simple, everyday use of 可靠 to endorse a product based on long-term experience.
• Example 8:
  • 找一个可靠的保姆比找一份好工作还难。
  • Pinyin: Zhǎo yī ge kěkào de bǎomǔ bǐ zhǎo yī fèn hǎo gōngzuò hái nán.
  • English: Finding a trustworthy nanny is even harder than finding a good job.
  • Analysis: This illustrates how crucial 可靠 is when it comes to matters of personal safety and family.
• Example 9:
  • 他的承诺一点也不可靠，别信他。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chéngnuò yīdiǎn yě bù kěkào, bié xìn tā.
  • English: His promises aren't reliable at all, don't believe him.
  • Analysis: This directly links reliability with promises and belief, showing how one affects the other.
• Example 10:
  • 一个可靠的系统是保证数据安全的第一步。
  • Pinyin: Yī ge kěkào de xìtǒng shì bǎozhèng shùjù ānquán de dì-yī bù.
  • English: A reliable system is the first step to ensuring data security.
  • Analysis: Connects the concept of reliability to technology and security.

A common mistake for English speakers is confusing the adjective 可靠 (kěkào) with the verb “to trust” or “to rely on.”

• 可靠 (kěkào) vs. 相信 (xiāngxìn) / 依靠 (yīkào):
  • 可靠 (kěkào) is an adjective that describes a quality. Someone is reliable.
  • 相信 (xiāngxìn) is a verb that means “to believe” or “to trust.” It's an action you do.
  • 依靠 (yīkào) is a verb that means “to rely on” or “to depend on.” It's also an action.
• Example of Correct Usage:
  • `因为他很可靠，所以我相信他，也愿意依靠他。`
  • (Yīnwèi tā hěn kěkào, suǒyǐ wǒ xiāngxìn tā, yě yuànyì yīkào tā.)
  • “Because he is very reliable, I trust him and am also willing to rely on him.”
• Example of Incorrect Usage:
  • `我可靠他。` (Wǒ kěkào tā.) ← WRONG. This is like saying “I reliable him.” in English.
  • The correct sentence would be `他很可靠。` (Tā hěn kěkào. - He is reliable.) or `我依靠他。` (Wǒ yīkào tā. - I rely on him.)

• `靠谱 (kàopǔ)` - A very common and slightly more informal/colloquial synonym for 可靠. It literally means “to lean on the musical score,” implying something that is sound and follows the rules.
• `信赖 (xìnlài)` - (Verb) To trust and rely on. It's more formal and carries a stronger sense of dependence than the common verb `相信 (xiāngxìn)`.
• `信任 (xìnrèn)` - (Verb/Noun) To trust; trust. This focuses more on the feeling or state of trust itself. A person is 可靠, which leads you to feel 信任.
• `依靠 (yīkào)` - (Verb) To rely on, to depend on. 可靠 means “can be 依靠-ed.”
• `踏实 (tāshi)` - Down-to-earth, steadfast, grounded. Describes a person's character and work ethic. A person who is 踏实 is almost always also 可靠.
• `稳定 (wěndìng)` - Stable, steady. Often used for systems, jobs, or emotions. A stable system is usually a reliable one.
• `保证 (bǎozhèng)` - (Verb/Noun) To guarantee; a guarantee. A guarantee is a formal promise of reliability.