靠

Rely On/by Means of

Level 3Sounds Like kaau3

靠 (kaau3) is the standard Cantonese way to say 'rely on' or 'depend on'. It can also mean 'to lean against' physically.

How It Works

In Cantonese, 靠 (kaau3) is a versatile word that bridges the gap between physical support and abstract dependency.

1. Abstract Reliance:
When used to mean 'rely on', it introduces the person or resource that makes an action possible. It is more neutral than 依賴 (ji1 laai6), which can sound negative or clingy. For example, 靠自己 (kaau3 zi6 gei2) means 'rely on oneself' and is considered a virtue. You can also use 全靠 (cyun4 kaau3) to mean 'all thanks to' or 'entirely dependent on'.

2. Physical Support and Proximity:
It also means 'to lean against' or 'to be near'. When used physically, it often appears with the durative marker 住 (zyu6) or the locative 喺 (hai2). For example, 靠住牆 (kaau3 zyu6 coeng4) means 'leaning against a wall'.

3. Directional Usage:
It is frequently used to indicate positioning or keeping to a side, such as 靠左 (kaau3 zo2) 'keep left' or 靠邊 (kaau3 bin1) 'stay to the side'.

4. Means and Methods:
It describes the 'capital' or 'means' by which someone survives. While 用 (jung6) is for specific tools (like using a fork), 靠 is for the underlying resource (like relying on hard work). Common derived terms include 可靠 (ho2 kaau3) 'reliable' and 靠得住 (kaau3 dak1 zyu6) 'dependable'.

Examples (4)

  1. 喺屋企靠父母，出外靠朋友。

    At home one relies on parents; abroad one relies on friends.

    Word by Word: At home rely parents, go outside rely friends.

    A famous proverb showing how 靠 (kaau3) introduces the source of support in different environments.

  2. 佢全靠把口搵食。

    He relies entirely on his 'gift of the gab' to make a living.

    Word by Word: He entirely rely [classifier] mouth find eat.

    Here, 靠 (kaau3) indicates the specific skill or 'means' used for survival.

  3. 我想坐靠窗嘅位。

    I want to sit in a seat by the window.

    Word by Word: I want sit lean window [possessive] seat.

    This demonstrates the spatial meaning of 靠 (kaau3), indicating proximity or being 'by' something.

  4. 唔好靠晒運氣呀。

    Don't rely entirely on luck.

    Word by Word: Not good rely all luck [particle].

    The particle 晒 (saai3) is often added after 靠 to mean 'rely entirely/completely'.

Common Mistakes

  • Following 靠 directly with a verb instead of a noun.

    佢靠行去返工。
    佢靠行路去返工。

    靠 (kaau3) is usually followed by a noun phrase for the 'means'. A bare verb like 行 sounds incomplete, so use the noun phrase 行路 (walking).

  • Confusing 靠 with 用 (jung6) for simple tools.

    我靠筷子食飯。
    我用筷子食飯。

    Use 用 (jung6) for physical tools. Use 靠 (kaau3) for the fundamental resource or person you depend on.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

靠Level 3Rely On/by Means of

Learn This First

To understand '靠' (rely on/by means of), learners need a solid grasp of basic Cantonese word order and how verbs can be used in sequence to express the means or instrument of an action. Familiarity with basic pronouns is also required to construct meaningful sentences.

Words in This Pattern