rely on; parents (lit.)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to rely on; to depend on
literaryLiterary usage. Often used in classical texts to express dependence on power, strength, or authority.
Tā他
hù怙
shì恃
quán权
shì势
，
qī欺
yā压
bǎi百
xìng姓
。
He relied on his power to oppress the common people.
Wú无
fù父
hé何
hù怙
，
wú无
mǔ母
hé何
shì恃
。
Without a father, what do I rely on? Without a mother, what do I depend on?
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Qiè切
bù不
kě可
hù怙
shì恃
yǒng勇
lì力
ér而
qīng轻
dí敌
。
Never rely on your bravery and underestimate the enemy.
noun
parents (literary)
literaryOriginating from the Book of Songs (Shijing), specifically 'Xiao Ya·Liao E': 'Without a father, what do I rely on (怙); without a mother, what do I depend on (恃).' Later combined as '怙恃' to refer to parents.
Tā他
shào少
shī失
hù怙
shì恃
，
yóu由
zǔ祖
fù父
mǔ母
fǔ抚
yǎng养
zhǎng长
dà大
。
He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandparents.
Hù怙
shì恃
shuāng双
wáng亡
，
gū孤
kǔ苦
líng伶
dīng仃
。
Both parents deceased, lonely and destitute.
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Zì自
yòu幼
shī失
hù怙
shì恃
，
bù不
zhī知
fù父
mǔ母
zhī之
ài爱
。
Orphaned since childhood, not knowing the love of parents.