The kanji 依 primarily conveys the idea of "to rely on," "to depend on," or "to be based on." It suggests a relationship where one thing is supported by, or finds its foundation in, another. It can also imply adherence or following.

・On-yomi (音読み): イ (i) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): よ（る） (yo(ru))

⚫︎依存 (i-zon) Translation: Dependence; reliance. ⚫︎依頼 (i-rai) Translation: Request; commission. ⚫︎頼る (tayoru) (using the okurigana to show the kun-yomi) Translation: To rely on; to depend on.

The kanji 依 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). The left side is a radical called 彳 (gyō-nyō), which represents "walking" or "going." The right side is 衣 (i), meaning "clothing." The original meaning was related to clothing resting on the body, thereby taking support. Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass the general idea of relying or depending on something. The combination of the walking radical suggests movement or following, further emphasizing the idea of adherence.