靠

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靠 [2025/08/11 09:01] – created xiaoer靠 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== kào: 靠 - To lean on, to rely on, depend on; near, close to ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** 靠 meaning, 靠 Chinese character, kao pinyin, what does 靠 mean, Chinese word for rely on, depend on in Chinese, lean on in Chinese, near in Chinese, 我靠 (wo kao) meaning, 靠谱 (kaopu), 可靠 (kekao), 靠近 (kaojin) +
-  * **Summary:** The Chinese character **靠 (kào)** is an incredibly versatile and fundamental word for learners. Its core meaning is "to lean on" or "to rely on," but it extends from physical actions, like leaning against a wall, to abstract dependence, like relying on friends. It's also used as a preposition to mean "near" or "by," such as a seat "by the window." Understanding **靠 (kào)** unlocks key cultural concepts about relationships and support in China, and even a common slang expression, making it essential for both practical conversation and deeper cultural fluency. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kào +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Preposition +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To lean against something physically; to depend or rely on a person or resource; to be situated near a location. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **靠 (kào)** as a "support." It can be a physical support, like when you **靠**在墙上 (kào zài qiáng shàng) - "lean on the wall." It can be an intangible, social support, like how you might **靠**朋友 (kào péngyou) - "rely on friends." And it can describe location, where being **靠**窗 (kào chuāng) - "by the window" - means you are right up against it, supported by its proximity. It's one word for leaning, relying, and being near. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **靠** is a single, compound character. For beginners, it's most effective to learn the character as a whole unit associated with the concept of "support" or "leaning." +
-  * It is composed of two parts: +
-    * **非 (fēi):** Meaning "not" or "wrong." +
-    * **告 (gào):** Meaning "to tell" or "to announce." +
-  * The combination's origin is complex. A simple way to remember it is to think of someone who needs support but is told (告) that this is not (非) the way, forcing them to find a real source of support to lean on. However, for practical purposes, associating the entire shape of **靠** with the image of a person leaning against a wall is the most direct learning method. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-  * **靠** is a window into the Chinese social fabric, which is more collectivist than many Western cultures. While self-reliance (靠自己, kào zìjǐ) is a virtue, the ability to **靠** one's family, friends, or network (关系, guānxi) is seen as a practical and often necessary part of life. +
-  * **Comparison to Western Individualism:** In American culture, the "self-made" individual who "pulls themselves up by their bootstraps" is a strong ideal. Saying you "rely on your parents" as an adult can carry a strong negative stigma. In China, while independence is valued, acknowledging interdependence is normal. The phrase 在家靠父母，出门靠朋友 (zài jiā kào fùmǔ, chūmén kào péngyou) - "At home, rely on parents; when away, rely on friends" - is a widely accepted proverb, not an admission of weakness. It highlights the importance of a strong support network. +
-  * Using connections to get a job (靠关系, kào guānxi) can be viewed negatively as nepotism, but it's also often accepted as a pragmatic reality of how society functions. The ability to **靠** others is a form of social capital. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-  * **1. Physical Leaning (Verb):** Used to describe physically resting against something. +
-    * Connotation: Neutral. +
-    * Example: 他累了，就**靠**在树上休息。(Tā lèi le, jiù kào zài shù shàng xiūxi.) - He was tired, so he leaned against the tree to rest. +
-  * **2. Relying on / Depending on (Verb):** This is its most common abstract meaning. The connotation can change dramatically with context. +
-    * Neutral/Positive: 靠自己的努力 (kào zìjǐ de nǔlì - rely on one's own hard work). +
-    * Potentially Negative: 总是靠父母 (zǒngshì kào fùmǔ - always relying on parents), implying an adult who can't stand on their own two feet. This is related to the concept of [[啃老族]] (kěnlǎozú). +
-  * **3. Near / By / Close to (Preposition):** Used to indicate proximity. +
-    * Connotation: Neutral. +
-    * Example: 我家**靠**着公园。(Wǒ jiā kào zhe gōngyuán.) - My house is near the park. +
-  * **4. Slang and Common Exclamations:** +
-    * **我靠! (Wǒ kào!)**: A very common, informal exclamation of surprise, frustration, or shock. It's similar to "Damn!", "Holy crap!", or a softer "What the f---!". It is ubiquitous in casual conversation among friends but should be avoided in formal or polite situations. +
-    * **靠谱 (kàopǔ)**: A hugely popular slang term meaning "reliable," "dependable," "trustworthy," or "legit." Its opposite, **不靠谱 (bù kàopǔ)**, is equally common and means "unreliable" or "flaky." +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 请不要**靠**在门上，门是新刷的。 +
-    * Pinyin: Qǐng búyào **kào** zài mén shàng, mén shì xīn shuā de. +
-    * English: Please don't lean on the door, it's freshly painted. +
-    * Analysis: This is the most literal, physical meaning of **靠**. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 在家**靠**父母，出门**靠**朋友。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài jiā **kào** fùmǔ, chūmén **kào** péngyou. +
-    * English: At home, you rely on your parents; when you're away, you rely on your friends. +
-    * Analysis: A classic proverb that demonstrates the cultural acceptance of interdependence. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 你不能总是**靠**运气，你需要一个实际的计划。 +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zǒngshì **kào** yùnqì, nǐ xūyào yí ge shíjì de jìhuà. +
-    * English: You can't always rely on luck, you need a practical plan. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **靠** is used for relying on an abstract concept (luck). +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 我想预订一个**靠**窗的座位。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yí ge **kào** chuāng de zuòwèi. +
-    * English: I'd like to book a seat by the window. +
-    * Analysis: This shows **靠** used as a preposition to mean "by" or "next to." +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * **我靠**！我把钥匙忘在家里了！ +
-    * Pinyin: **Wǒ kào**! Wǒ bǎ yàoshi wàng zài jiāli le! +
-    * English: Damn! I forgot my keys at home! +
-    * Analysis: This demonstrates the common slang usage of **靠** as an exclamation. It's informal and expresses surprise or frustration. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 他是一个很**可靠**的合作伙伴。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge hěn **kěkào** de hézuò huǒbàn. +
-    * English: He is a very reliable business partner. +
-    * Analysis: **可靠 (kěkào)** is the formal adjective for "reliable," derived from **靠**. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 这个主意听起来很**靠谱**，我们可以试试。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè ge zhǔyi tīng qǐlái hěn **kàopǔ**, wǒmen kěyǐ shìshi. +
-    * English: This idea sounds really solid/reliable, we can give it a try. +
-    * Analysis: **靠谱 (kàopǔ)** is the modern, conversational slang for "reliable" or "legit." +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 他这个人太**不靠谱**了，上次开会他迟到了一个小时。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén tài **bù kàopǔ** le, shàng cì kāihuì tā chídào le yí ge xiǎoshí. +
-    * English: That guy is so unreliable, he was an hour late for the last meeting. +
-    * Analysis: The negative form, **不靠谱 (bù kàopǔ)**, is extremely common for describing people, plans, or information that is flaky or untrustworthy. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 我们的船正在慢慢**靠**岸。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen de chuán zhèngzài mànmàn **kào** àn. +
-    * English: Our boat is slowly drawing near the shore. +
-    * Analysis: **靠岸 (kào àn)** is a set phrase meaning "to dock" or "to pull into shore," combining "near" and "shore." +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 很多人认为他得到那个晋升是**靠**关系。 +
-    * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén rènwéi tā dédào nà ge jìnshēng shì **kào** guānxi. +
-    * English: A lot of people think he got that promotion by relying on connections (guanxi). +
-    * Analysis: This usage often carries a slightly negative or cynical connotation, implying the person didn't earn it through merit alone. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **Mistake 1: Confusing "我靠 (Wǒ kào!)" with "I rely on..."** A beginner hearing "我靠!" might literally translate it as "I lean" or "I rely," which makes no sense in context. It's crucial to recognize this as a set exclamation of surprise, similar to "Damn it!" and not as a grammatical sentence. +
-  * **Mistake 2: Not understanding the changing connotation.** Relying on others (**靠**朋友) can be positive, but relying on parents as an adult (**靠**父母) can be seen as shameful. The meaning is highly dependent on who is relying on whom, and for what. +
-  * **"靠 (kào)" vs. "依靠 (yīkào)":** These are similar, but [[依靠]] (yīkào) is more formal and often implies a deeper, more profound, or even existential dependence. **靠** is the workhorse word used in everyday speech for all forms of leaning and relying. You **靠** a wall, but a child might **依靠** their mother. +
-  * **"靠谱 (kàopǔ)" vs. "可靠 (kěkào)":** Both mean "reliable." **可靠 (kěkào)** is the standard, dictionary-definition adjective you can use in any situation, including formal writing. **靠谱 (kàopǔ)** is conversational, modern slang. You'd tell a friend their plan is **靠谱**, but you'd write in a business report that a supplier is **可靠**. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[靠近]] (kàojìn) - To draw near, to approach. A verb describing the action of getting closer to something. +
-  * [[可靠]] (kěkào) - Reliable, trustworthy. The standard, formal adjective for "dependable." +
-  * [[靠谱]] (kàopǔ) - (Slang) Reliable, dependable, legit. The informal, modern equivalent of 可靠. +
-  * [[依靠]] (yīkào) - To rely on, depend on. A more formal and often deeper synonym for 靠. +
-  * [[依赖]] (yīlài) - To be dependent on. Often implies a lack of independence, sometimes with a negative connotation. +
-  * [[关系]] (guānxi) - Connections, network. The social resource that people in China often need to **靠** to get things done. +
-  * [[支持]] (zhīchí) - To support. Describes the action of the person giving help, whereas **靠** describes the action of the person receiving it. +
-  * [[啃老族]] (kěnlǎozú) - Lit. "gnaw on the old tribe." A term for adults who **靠** their parents for financial support.+