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Expressing "to lean on" or "to rely on" with 依 (yī)
Description & Modification
Location & Position
Structure
Subject + 依 + Object
Explanation
依 (yī) means "to lean on," "to rely on," or "to be next to." In classical Chinese poetry, it often describes something resting against or alongside another object. For example, 白日依山尽 means "the white sun leans against the mountains and fades."
Examples
孩子依在母亲的怀里睡着了。
Háizi yī zài mǔqīn de huái lǐ shuìzháo le.
The child fell asleep nestled in his mother's arms.
小猫依着墙角晒太阳。
Xiǎo māo yīzhe qiángjiǎo shài tàiyáng.
The kitten leaned against the corner of the wall, basking in the sun.
他一直依靠自己的努力生活。
Tā yìzhí yīkào zìjǐ de nǔlì shēnghuó.
He has always relied on his own efforts to make a living.