Usage note
靠表示贴近、依靠。
kào biǎo shì tiē jìn 、 yī kào。
靠 means to lean on or rely on.
Context note
靠常用于位置、帮助和口语。
kào cháng yòng yú wèi zhì 、 bāng zhù hé kǒu yǔ。
It is often used with position, support, and spoken language.
5 examples
他靠在墙上。
tā kào zài qiáng shàng。
He leaned against the wall.
我们靠自己努力。
wǒ men kào zì jǐ nǔ lì。
We rely on our own effort.
这张桌子靠窗。
zhè zhāng zhuō zi kào chuāng。
This table is by the window.
靠近一点。
kào jìn yì diǎn。
Come a little closer.
靠你了。
kào nǐ le。
It's up to you.
5 mini stories
孩子靠在妈妈身边。
hái zi kào zài mā ma shēn biān。
The child leaned beside Mom.
老师说，要靠自己完成。
lǎo shī shuō， yào kào zì jǐ wán chéng。
The teacher said you should rely on yourself to finish it.
他靠墙站着。
tā kào qiáng zhàn zhe。
He stood against the wall.
靠近一点，声音更清楚。
kào jìn yì diǎn， shēng yīn gèng qīng chǔ。
Move closer, and the sound will be clearer.
大家都靠这条路回家。
dà jiā dōu kào zhè tiáo lù huí jiā。
Everyone relies on this road to go home.
Mini dialogue
Leaning on the Wall
A
别靠墙，衣服会脏的。
Bié kào qiáng, yīfu huì zāng de.
Don't lean on the wall, your clothes will get dirty.
B
好的，我不靠了。
Hǎo de, wǒ bù kào le.
Okay, I won't lean anymore.
Resting on the Sofa
A
累了就靠在沙发上休息一会儿。
Lèi le jiù kào zài shāfā shàng xiūxi yīhuìr.
If you're tired, lean on the sofa and rest for a while.
B
好，靠着真舒服。
Hǎo, kào zhe zhēn shūfu.
Okay, leaning is really comfortable.
Related words and contrasts
similar
倚
yǐ
lean on; rely on
倚 is more literary and often used in written Chinese.
related
依赖
yīlài
depend on; rely on
依赖 emphasizes dependence on someone or something.
opposite
独立
dúlì
independent
靠 can mean to rely on, while 独立 means to be independent.