Definition

1. Verb:
   • To depend on (somebody) for help; to rely on: To place trust and confidence in someone for support, assistance, or protection, often in a time of need. It implies a relationship where one seeks refuge or aid from another.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy nương cậy vào người bạn thân nhất. (She relies on her closest friend.)
  • Trong hoạn nạn, chúng tôi chỉ biết nương cậy nhau. (In times of trouble, we only know to depend on each other.)
  • Đứa trẻ nương cậy hoàn toàn vào cha mẹ. (The child depends completely on his parents.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "nương cậy" often carries an emotional connotation of vulnerability and trust. It is used in contexts involving emotional, moral, or physical support rather than casual reliance.
  • Anh ấy là chỗ nương cậy duy nhất của cả gia đình. (He is the sole person the whole family can depend on.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nương nhờ (v): to seek shelter or rely on someone for lodging or protection.

  • Họ đến nương nhờ người thân ở quê. (They went to seek shelter with relatives in the countryside.)

• Nương tựa (v): to lean on for support; very similar in meaning to "nương cậy," emphasizing physical or metaphorical support.

  • Tinh thần nương tựa lẫn nhau giúp họ vượt qua khó khăn. (Leaning on each other's spirits helped them overcome difficulties.)

• Trông cậy (v): to look to someone with hope and expectation for help.

  • Mọi người đều trông cậy vào sự lãnh đạo của ông ấy. (Everyone is counting on his leadership.)

Synonyms

• Rely on: To be dependent on with full trust.
• Depend on: To need someone or something for support or help.
• Count on: To rely on with confidence.

Related Idioms

• Chỗ nương cậy: A place or person to rely on; a mainstay.
  • Người mẹ là chỗ nương cậy vững chắc của các con. (The mother is a solid pillar for her children to rely on.)

1. Depend on (somebody) for help