dependent
/dɪˈpendənt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpendənt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈpen-dənt/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈpen.dənt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpen.dənt/ (ame, ipa)
dependent — 形容詞
1. needing another person, thing, or system in order to stay alive, carry out daily
依賴的
需要他人或事物支持才能生存或運作
needing another person, thing, or system in order to stay alive, carry out daily tasks, or keep working properly
After breaking his hip, Tariro was dependent on his daughter for shopping and cooking.
Tariro 摔傷髖部後，買菜和煮飯都得依賴女兒。
dependent on [someone] for [something]
Many small shops are dependent on summer tourists for most of their income.
鎮上許多小店大部分收入都得依靠夏季觀光客。
The village is entirely dependent on the river for drinking water and farming.
這個村莊的飲水和農作完全仰賴那條河流。
Young birds stay in the nest while still dependent on their parents for food.
雛鳥會在巢裡待好幾個星期，因為牠們仍需要父母餵食。
Elderly residents who lose their eyesight often become dependent on family members for basic care.
視力衰退的老年人往往連基本照護都得依靠家人。
- reliant
similar meaning but slightly less strong; suggests choice rather than necessity
- needy
more emotional tone, often describes people who require constant attention or help
- supported by
focuses on the source of help rather than the state of needing it
- independent
not needing support from others; able to function alone
文法句型
be dependent on/upon [someone/something] for [something]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' (or less commonly 'upon'). The pattern 'dependent on someone for something' is the most common structure in everyday speech and writing.
常見錯誤
2. affected or controlled by a particular factor or condition, so that the final re
取決於
結果受其他因素決定或影響
affected or controlled by a particular factor or condition, so that the final result changes when that factor changes
Whether the school trip goes ahead is dependent on the weather forecast for next week.
學校郊遊能否成行，要看下週的天氣預報。
be dependent on [condition] for decision
The amount of rent Walid pays each month is dependent on his total household income.
Walid 每月繳多少租金，取決於他的家庭總收入。
A plant's growth is highly dependent on how much sunlight and water it receives daily.
植物的生長高度依賴每天接收到的日照和水量。
The success of the charity event was dependent on enough volunteers signing up beforehand.
那場慈善活動能否成功，要看事先有沒有足夠的義工報名參加。
Nora's admission to the university was dependent on achieving top marks in her final exams.
Nora 能不能入學，取決於她期末考試是否拿到高分。
- contingent on
more formal; common in legal, academic, or official language
- conditional on
implies a clear if-then relationship between two events
- subject to
suggests that the outcome is open to change based on external approval or conditions
- independent of
not affected by another factor; true regardless of circumstances
文法句型
be dependent on/upon [factor/clause]
用法筆記
Common in explanations where one thing is a condition for another. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply a personal need — the subject can be an event, decision, or abstract process.
常見錯誤
3. having developed a strong physical or mental need for a substance such as a drug
成癮的
對藥物或酒精產生生理或心理依賴
having developed a strong physical or mental need for a substance such as a drug, alcohol, or medication, so that stopping its use causes serious problems
After taking painkillers for several months, Lara found she had become dependent on them.
Lara 吃了幾個月的止痛藥後，發現自己已經對藥物產生依賴。
become dependent on [medication]
The rehabilitation centre helps people who are dependent on alcohol to rebuild their lives.
這間康復中心協助酒精成癮者重建生活。
Kabir's doctor warned him not to take sleeping aids in case he grew dependent.
Kabir 的醫生告誡他不要每晚都吃安眠藥，以免產生依賴。
Some patients become dependent on prescription drugs even when they follow the dosage instructions carefully.
有些病患即使按照醫囑服藥，還是會對處方藥物產生依賴。
The government funds free counselling for young people who are dependent on illegal substances.
政府提供資金，為對非法藥物成癮的年輕人提供免費諮詢。
- addicted to
stronger and more informal; implies loss of control and harmful effects
- hooked on
very informal; used in everyday conversation
- habituated to
formal, clinical term; milder than addicted, suggests regular use without compulsion
文法句型
become dependent on [substance]
dependent on [drug/alcohol/medication]
用法筆記
Often used in medical and public-health contexts. Stronger than 'reliant on' — implies a physical or psychological compulsion that makes stopping very difficult. The noun form 'dependence' is more common in clinical writing.
常見錯誤
4. in grammar, describing a group of words that is joined to a main clause and cann
從屬的
文法中不能獨立成句的子句
in grammar, describing a group of words that is joined to a main clause and cannot form a complete sentence on its own — for example, 'although it was raining' in 'The match continued although it was raining'
Samir asked if his sentence starting with 'although' was a dependent clause.
Samir 問老師，他那句以「although」開頭的句子是不是從屬子句。
dependent clause identified in a classroom context
In 'I called Sari because I missed her,' the second part is a dependent clause.
在「I called Sari because I missed her」這句話裡，後半段就是一個從屬子句。
Students often confuse dependent clauses with complete sentences when they start writing essays.
學生剛開始寫論文時，經常搞混從屬子句和完整句子。
Camila's teacher circled 'Because it was raining' and wrote 'fragment' in red pen.
Camila 的老師把「Because it was raining」圈起來，用紅筆寫了「fragment」。
The teacher asked the class to underline every dependent clause in the paragraph about climate.
老師要全班在關於氣候變遷的段落中，標出每一個從屬子句。
- subordinate clause
the more traditional term in grammar teaching; exactly the same meaning
- embedded clause
refers specifically to a clause placed inside another clause
- independent clause
a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence; also called a main clause
文法句型
dependent clause
dependent element
用法筆記
A technical term from grammar. Also called a 'subordinate clause'. The opposite is an 'independent clause' (or 'main clause'), which can stand alone as a complete sentence.
常見錯誤
dependent — 名詞
1. a person, especially a child or elderly relative, who receives money, housing, o
受扶養者
依賴他人經濟支持的人（如子女或長輩）
a person, especially a child or elderly relative, who receives money, housing, or other forms of support from another person or from the state because they cannot support themselves
Each worker can claim a tax reduction for every dependent they support financially.
每位員工都可以為自己扶養的每個家屬申請稅額減免。
claim [someone] as a dependent — tax context
The health insurance plan covers both the employee and all of their dependents.
這份健康保險計畫涵蓋員工本人及其所有受扶養家屬。
As a single father raising two young dependents, Yasmin's cousin struggles to pay the rent.
Yasmin 的表哥是單親爸爸，要撫養兩個年幼的孩子，每個月付房租都很吃力。
On the immigration form, list the names and ages of any dependents travelling with you.
填寫移民表格時，請列出所有隨行受扶養家屬的姓名與年齡。
The government provides additional financial aid to families who have more than three dependents.
政府會為扶養三名以上受扶養者的家庭提供額外補助。
- dependant
British spelling; identical meaning
- child
narrower — only covers young people, not elderly relatives or disabled adults
- beneficiary
more formal; someone who receives benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy
- breadwinner
the person who earns money to support the dependents
- earner
someone who brings in income rather than relying on others
文法句型
[number] + dependent(s)
claim [someone] as a dependent
用法筆記
In British English the preferred spelling is 'dependant' for the noun. The adjective form always uses 'dependent' in both varieties. Frequently appears on tax forms, insurance policies, and legal documents.