HSK 7, zg, 10 strokes, radical 亻, rank #26089, Very Hard
倚
yǐ
to lean on
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻, rank #26089, Very Hard
倚
yǐ
to rely upon
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻, rank #26089, Very Hard
yǐ(yi3) T3
1to rely on, to depend on
2to lean on
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March 24, 2026
倚yǐ(yi3)
The character 倚 (yǐ) means to rely on or depend on something or someone. It can also imply a physical action of leaning against an object for support. This term is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as relying on friends or leaning against a wall.
Strokes10Radical亻Frequency#26089DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of reliance is significant in Chinese culture, highlighting the importance of interpersonal relationships and support systems, often reflected in sayings and proverbs about friendship and family.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person leaning against a sturdy tree for support. The left side of the character 倚 resembles a person leaning (亻) while the right side (衣) reminds you of a coat or clothing that one might wear while leaning. Think of 'leaning on your coat' to remember the pronunciation 'yǐ'.
Meanings of 倚
yǐ(yi3)
1to rely on, to depend on
2to lean on
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 倚 means.
About 倚
倚Simplified
10Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 倚
Podcast: 倚
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AI Study Notes for 倚
Quick Contrast
依 (yī) vs 倚 (yǐ): Use 依 when implying a more general reliance or dependence, while 倚 emphasizes a physical leaning or support.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 倚 with other similar-sounding characters like 义 (yì) which means righteousness. Since 倚 is somewhat formal, it's often used in written Chinese rather than casual conversations. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
While 倚 is not included in the official HSK levels, it is a useful word for advanced learners to express dependence and support. Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially in literature or formal discussions, as it may appear in descriptions of relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 倚 by using the wrong tone, saying 'yi' instead of 'yǐ'. Additionally, some might confuse it with 依 (yī) which means to depend on but is less about physical leaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 倚
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Etymology of 倚
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 奇 represents the sound.
倚 = 亻 + 奇. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 倚
IDS Structure⿰亻奇
倚Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
奇ji1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 倚?
How to say to rely on, to depend on in Chinese
“to rely on, to depend on” in Chinese is倚yǐ
The character 倚 (yǐ) means to rely on or depend on something or someone. It can also imply a physical action of leaning against an object for support. This term is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as relying on friends or leaning against a wall.
When to use 倚
Common mistakes include confusing 倚 with other similar-sounding characters like 义 (yì) which means righteousness. Since 倚 is somewhat formal, it's often used in written Chinese rather than casual conversations. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
倚 or something close to it
依 (yī) vs 倚 (yǐ): Use 依 when implying a more general reliance or dependence, while 倚 emphasizes a physical leaning or support.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 倚 by using the wrong tone, saying 'yi' instead of 'yǐ'. Additionally, some might confuse it with 依 (yī) which means to depend on but is less about physical leaning.
Write 倚
倚
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Practice writing 倚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 倚
倚 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
丹尼尔____在沙发上，嘴里还在嚼着苹果。
Daniel leaned back on the sofa, still chewing on his apple.
