How to Write 依 (yī) — Meaning “to lean on; according to; to depend on”

Picture a person (亻) wearing a coat (衣) and leaning against a wall for support. The image of someone depending on their coat to stay warm or comfortable can help you remember that 依 means "to lean on" or "to depend on."

Pay attention to the proportion: the person radical on the left is narrow, while the 衣 component on the right is wider and balanced. A common mistake is making the 衣 too small or forgetting the dot above the 衣 component — the dot is essential and should be placed at the top-right of the right side.

依 means "to lean on" or "to depend on" and contains the 衣 (clothing) component. 仰 means "to look up" or "to admire" and has a radical that suggests facing upward. 仲 means "middle" or "second" and is used in terms like 仲夏 (midsummer) — it does not involve leaning or dependence.

依 is common in words like 依靠 (to rely on) and 依然 (still, as before), often expressing dependence or continuity. In Chinese culture, interdependence within family and society is valued, so 依 reflects the idea of relying on others in a natural, supportive way rather than as a weakness.

Common words containing 依 include: 依靠 (yī kào) — to rely on; support; 依然 (yī rán) — still; as before; 依据 (yī jù) — basis; according to.