依 means “depend, rely on”

い · i

Also: reliant, depend on, consequently, therefore

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

よる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

イ, エ

JLPT N2 · Taught in secondary school · 8 strokes

The story

A person (亻) wrapped in clothing (衣): picture a child clinging to a parent's sleeve. 依 is to depend: 依頼 is asking someone to do something for you, 依存 is dependence, and スマホ依存 is smartphone addiction.

Used in 依頼 (irai, request), 依存 (izon, dependence), and 依然 (izen, still/as before)

More from Heart & Mind

• 純 pure
• 快 pleasant
• 悩 worry
• 珍 rare
• 叫 shout
• 憎 hate
• 肯 affirm

Learn 依 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.