dependents
dependents — 形容詞
1. needing a person, an organization, or a source of money in order to live, work,
依賴的
需要他人支持才能運作或生存
needing a person, an organization, or a source of money in order to live, work, or continue existing — for example, a child who depends on parents for food and shelter, or a project that depends on donations to keep running.
The research grant is dependent on the team submitting a progress report every six months.
這筆研究補助金依賴於團隊是否每六個月提交一次進度報告。
dependent + on + noun phrase showing a condition
Many elderly patients are dependent on their families for daily care and support.
許多老年病患依賴家人提供日常照護與支援。
The local food bank is heavily dependent on donations from supermarkets and restaurants.
這間社區食物銀行相當依賴超市和餐廳的捐贈。
Young children are fully dependent on adults for food, shelter, and safety.
幼兒完全仰賴成年人提供食物、住所與安全。
The success of the community garden is dependent on enough volunteers showing up each weekend.
社區花園的成功與否，依賴於每個週末是否有足夠的志工前來幫忙。
- independent
opposite — able to function without outside support
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'on' or 'upon' to introduce the person or thing needed. The adverb 'heavily' is a common modifier.
常見錯誤
2. determined or affected by a particular condition, factor, or event — for example
取決於
由某因素決定或受其影響
determined or affected by a particular condition, factor, or event — for example, whether you go to the beach is dependent on the weather, or the price of a house is dependent on the local market.
Whether we go hiking tomorrow is dependent on the weather forecast.
我們明天能否去健行取決於天氣預報。
dependent + on + noun phrase introducing a condition
The final price of the house is dependent on the results of the building inspection.
這棟房屋的最終價格取決於房屋檢查的結果。
A student's grade in this course is partly dependent on class participation.
學生在這門課的成績部分取決於課堂參與。
Crop harvests are highly dependent on the amount of rainfall during the growing season.
農作物的收成高度取決於生長季的降雨量。
The timing of the wedding reception is dependent on when the church hall becomes available.
婚宴的時間安排取決於教堂大廳何時可供使用。
- contingent
more formal; used mainly in academic or legal writing
- conditional
emphasises that one thing will happen only if another thing happens first
- independent
not affected by other factors
- unconditional
not subject to any conditions
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (NEED SUPPORT): here the relationship is about conditions or factors deciding an outcome, not about a person or thing needing basic necessities.
常見錯誤
3. physically or mentally unable to stop using a drug, alcohol, or another substanc
成癮的
對藥物或物質產生生理依賴
physically or mentally unable to stop using a drug, alcohol, or another substance because the body has become used to it — for example, a patient who needs medical help to stop using sleeping pills.
After years of prescription painkiller use, the patient had become dependent on the medication.
使用處方止痛藥多年之後，那位患者已經對藥物產生了依賴。
medical context: dependent + on + [substance]
The clinic offers counseling for individuals who are dependent on alcohol or other drugs.
這間診所為依賴酒精或其他藥物的人提供諮商服務。
Some patients become dependent on sleeping pills after taking them every night for several months.
有些患者每晚服用安眠藥，幾個月後就對藥物產生了依賴。
A person who is physically dependent on heroin needs medically supervised help to stop using it safely.
身體上依賴海洛因的人需要在醫療監督下才能安全戒除。
- addicted
stronger and more commonly used; carries a negative social judgment that 'dependent' in medical writing avoids
- habituated
very formal and rare; mainly in specialist literature
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + substance noun
用法筆記
The term 'dependent' in medical contexts is more clinical and neutral than 'addicted', which carries stronger social stigma. Both physical and psychological dependence exist.
常見錯誤
4. controlled or governed by another country or authority, with limited or no self-
附屬的
受另一政權管轄而無自治權
controlled or governed by another country or authority, with limited or no self-rule — for example, a territory that answers to a central government on major decisions.
The island remained a dependent territory of the United Kingdom until it gained full independence in 1978.
該島曾是英國的附屬領地，直到 1978 年才完全獨立。
political context: dependent territory
Many dependent regions rely on the central government for military protection and trade agreements.
許多附屬地區在軍事保護和貿易協定方面依賴中央政府。
The history textbook describes how various dependent colonies fought for self-government.
這本歷史教科書描述了多個附屬殖民地爭取自治的過程。
A dependent state may have its own local leaders but answers to a higher authority on foreign policy and defense.
一個附屬邦可能擁有自己的地方領導人，但在外交政策和國防方面須聽從更高權威。
- subordinate
broader — can refer to rank in an organisation or military, not just political control
- subject
historical or legal term describing people or lands under a monarch's rule
- sovereign
fully independent and self-governing
- autonomous
self-governing, though may still be part of a larger state
文法句型
dependent + noun (as modifier)
dependent + on/upon + governing authority
用法筆記
Most frequently appears in the phrase 'dependent territory' or 'dependent state' in political geography and history contexts. Less common in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
dependents — 名詞
1. a person, especially a child or non-working family member, who relies on someone
受扶養者
靠他人經濟支持的人
a person, especially a child or non-working family member, who relies on someone else for money, housing, and other basic needs — for example, a child or elderly parent listed on a tax form.
Employees can claim extra health insurance benefits for each of their dependents.
員工可以為每名受扶養者申請額外的健康保險福利。
used in official / HR contexts
The tax form asks how many dependents live in your household.
稅務申報表會詢問你家中有幾名受扶養者。
A nurse at the county hospital works two jobs to support her elderly mother and young son, both of whom are her dependents.
一名在郡立醫院工作的護士要打兩份工來養活年邁的母親和年幼的兒子，兩人都算是她的受扶養者。
When applying for a student loan, you must list any dependents you are financially responsible for.
申請學生貸款時，你必須列出所有由你負擔經濟責任的受扶養者。
The company offers a higher salary to employees who have dependents living with them.
公司提供較高的薪資給有受扶養者同住的員工。
- dependent (singular)
the same word in singular form
- dependant (UK)
British spelling variant
- breadwinner
the person who provides financial support rather than receiving it
- earner
someone who works and earns their own income
文法句型
someone's dependents
dependents of + person
list / claim / support dependents
用法筆記
The singular form is 'dependent' (US) or 'dependant' (UK). In American English, the plural 'dependents' is very common on tax forms, insurance paperwork, and HR documents.