靠 + Object
Reach for 靠 when you want to say someone relies on, leans on, or depends on something — 靠父母 (rely on parents), 靠努力 (rely on hard work), 靠运气 (depend on luck). 靠 takes a noun or noun phrase and names the source of support, the means, or the basis. Casual and direct, more conversational than 依靠 or 依赖. Common in motivational talk ('don't rely on others, rely on yourself') and in answering 'how did you do it?'
Structure
Subject + 靠 + Object (Noun / Noun Phrase) + (Verb Phrase)
kào
How to Think About It
靠 literally means 'to lean against' — picture leaning on a wall. The metaphor extends to whatever holds you up: a person, an ability, a method. So 靠朋友 isn't about loving friends, it's about leaning on them. The object after 靠 answers 'what's holding you up?' To negate, use 靠的不是 X (literally 'what we leaned on isn't X') for a more emphatic correction.
Examples
他成功靠的不是运气，而是努力。
Tā chéng gōng kào de bú shì yùn qì, ér shì nǔ lì.
His success wasn't built on luck — it was built on hard work.
我们家主要靠我爸爸的工资。
Wǒ men jiā zhǔ yào kào wǒ bà ba de gōng zī.
Our family mostly relies on my dad's salary.
学语言不能只靠老师，自己也要练习。
Xué yǔ yán bù néng zhǐ kào lǎo shī, zì jǐ yě yào liàn xí.
Learning a language can't depend on the teacher alone — you have to practice yourself.
她靠写作养活了一家人。
Tā kào xiě zuò yǎng huó le yì jiā rén.
She supported the whole family through writing.
Common Mistake
Learners put a verb directly after 靠 because English says 'rely on doing X.' 靠 takes a noun (or noun phrase). For 'rely on hard work,' use 靠努力. For 'rely on hard work to succeed,' use 靠努力获得成功 — the noun is the basis, then a separate verb phrase follows.
他靠工作很努力。
他靠努力工作成功了。
Don't Confuse With
依靠...
依靠 is the more formal version — same meaning, used in writing and speeches. 靠 is the everyday spoken form. If you're writing an essay or news article, prefer 依靠.
依赖...
依赖 leans negative — 'be dependent on' in the sense of unhealthy reliance ('addicted to,' 'can't do without'). 靠 is neutral; 依赖 often carries a hint of weakness or criticism.
凭...
凭 means 'on the basis of / by virtue of' — relies on an ability or qualification ('凭实力' = on merit). 靠 is broader and includes support, money, people; 凭 is closer to 'by my own X.'
Practice
Fill in: 别老____父母，要____自己。
Show answer
靠；靠
Translate to Chinese: He depends on his own hard work, not on his family.
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他靠的是自己的努力，不是家里。
Arrange: 靠 / 他 / 学了中文 / 看电视剧
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他靠看电视剧学了中文。
Use 靠 to explain how someone you know became successful.
Show answer
我朋友靠自己的努力开了一家公司。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: