HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
to stand by the side of
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
to come near to
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
to depend on
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
to trust
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
to fuck (vulgar)
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
traditional military costume drama where the performers wear armor (old)
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
靠
kào
nearby; to depend on, to lean on, to trust
HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, radical 非, rank #566, Medium
kào(kao4) T4
1to lean against or on
2to stand by the side of
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March 24, 2026
靠kào(kao4)
The character 靠 (kào) primarily means 'to lean against' or 'to depend on.' It is commonly used in contexts where support or reliance is implied, either physically or emotionally. In informal or vulgar contexts, it can also mean 'to have sex,' so it's important to be aware of the situation in which it is used.
Strokes15Radical非Frequency#566DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of relying on family or community is deeply rooted. The usage of 靠 can reflect the importance of social support structures in Chinese society, where individuals often depend on their social networks.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person leaning against a wall for support (靠). The left side of the character resembles a person leaning (亻) while the right side looks like a roof (口), symbolizing shelter and support. This imagery helps you remember that 'kào' is about leaning and relying on something.
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AI Study Notes for 靠
Quick Contrast
依靠 (yīkào) - use 靠 for informal or colloquial contexts, while 依靠 is more formal and implies a deeper sense of reliance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person leaning against a wall for support (靠). The left side of the character resembles a person leaning (亻) while the right side looks like a roof (口), symbolizing shelter and support. This imagery helps you remember that 'kào' is about leaning and relying on something.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 靠, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (kào). In informal speech, it’s often used to express reliance on friends or family, but the vulgar meaning should be avoided in formal contexts. Common collocations include 靠近 (kàojìn, to approach) and 靠谱 (kàopǔ, reliable).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 靠 connects with other verbs expressing actions or states of being. Focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to express different contexts, such as dependency or physical proximity.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of relying on family or community is deeply rooted. The usage of 靠 can reflect the importance of social support structures in Chinese society, where individuals often depend on their social networks.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 靠 with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我靠他' (wǒ kào tā) to mean 'I depend on him' is correct, but using it in a vulgar context accidentally can lead to misunderstandings. Always clarify the context when using this word.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 靠
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Grammar Patterns of 靠
靠 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The skeleton consists of differently shaped bones held together by ligaments.
5
我已经掌握了有关该组织诞生的可靠的详细资料。
wǒ yǐ jīng zhǎng wò le yǒu guān gāi zǔ zhī dàn shēng de kě kào de xiáng xì zī liào。
I had obtained the authentic details about the birth of the organization.
6
我们靠近时,我看见汽车行李箱的盖子翘了起来.
wǒ mén kào jìn shí, , wǒ kàn jiàn qì chē háng lǐ xiāng de gài zǐ qiáo le qǐ.
As we drew near, I saw that the boot lid was up.
7
他们都说“这太不靠谱了，一点儿都不明智”。
tā mén dū shuō“ “ zhè tài bù kào pǔ， le ， yī diǎn ér dū bù”。
They all said "This is crazy, this makes no sense".
8
这个人坐在他固定的靠窗的位置。
zhè gè rén zuò zài tā gù dìng de kào chuāng de wèi zhì。
The man sat at his regular table near the window.
9
这家人不得不靠向当地商人赊账生活。
zhè jiā rén bù dé bù kào xiàng dāng dì shāng rén shē zhàng shēng huó。
The family was forced to live on credit from local merchants.
10
房间里仅靠这一盏灯照明。
fáng jiān lǐ jǐn kào zhè yī zhǎn dēng zhào míng。
The room was lit by only the one light.
Cultural Notes for 靠
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of relying on family or community is deeply rooted. The usage of 靠 can reflect the importance of social support structures in Chinese society, where individuals often depend on their social networks.
Word Family of 靠
Words Containing This Character20
靠kàoto trust
靠近kàojìnnear
依靠yīkàoto depend on
可靠kěkàoreliable
靠边to pull over靠邊
可靠性reliability
停靠to call at
投靠to rely on help from sb
靠拢kàolǒngto draw close to靠攏
靠不住unreliable
靠岸landfall
靠山patron
挂靠affiliation掛靠
靠得住reliable
倚靠to lean on
牢靠robust
背靠背back to back
不可靠unreliable
无依无靠orphaned無依無靠
凭靠to use憑靠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 靠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 靠
Common phrases with 靠 (kào) include '靠近' (kàojìn, to come near) and '依靠' (yīkào, to depend on). These phrases illustrate its versatility in expressing both physical and abstract relationships.
Yes, 靠 (kào) can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it is often used to express reliance or support, while in informal settings, it may also have a vulgar connotation depending on the context.
You can use 靠 (kào) in sentences to indicate physical support, such as '我靠在墙上' (I lean against the wall). It can also denote emotional or situational reliance, like '我靠你' (I depend on you).
靠 (kào) means to lean against or on something, to stand by the side of, or to come near to. It can also imply dependence or trust, as in relying on someone or something. In a vulgar context, it can be used as a slang term.
Generally, 靠 is more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like 依赖 (yīlài) for 'depend on.'
A common phrase is 靠谱 (kàopǔ), which means 'reliable' or 'dependable.'
In casual contexts, 靠 can imply sexual connotation, so be cautious about where and with whom you use it.
