依

Phono-semantic compound:

亻 (person radical) — semantic component, indicating human action / posture.

衣 (clothing) — phonetic component, giving the sound 의.

The original meaning was “to lean on something for support,” “to rest against.”

From this came the figurative meaning “to rely on; to depend on.”

In ancient forms (bronze inscriptions), the figure appears as a person standing beside another object, giving the idea of support.

依 expresses the act of depending on, leaning on, or trusting in something or someone.

의탁 (依託) — entrustment, relying on someone

의뢰 (依賴) — to rely on; entrust

의거 (依據) — basis; according to

의존 (依存) — dependence

의지 (依支) — reliance, willpower

의소 (依訴) — to rely on litigation; sue

의항 (依行) — to act in accordance with

의명 (依命) — following an order

의기 (依歸) — to return / resort to as one’s refuge

Classical citations:

《論語·顏淵》 (The Analects of Confucius)

「民可使由之，不可使知之；君子依乎天。」

“The people may be guided to follow (the Way), but not always to understand it; the gentleman relies upon Heaven.”

《孟子·離婁上》 (Mencius)

「天下之本在國，國之本在家，家之本在身，身之本在心，心之本在理。依乎此，則天下治。」

“The foundation of all under Heaven is the state; the state rests on the family; the family on the person; the person on the heart; the heart on principle. If we relies on this, the world will be at peace.”