可靠
kěkào · HSK 3
reliable
🔒 可 (can) + 靠 (lean on) = something you can lean on
可 means 'can/able' and 靠 means 'to lean on, rely on'. Together: 'able to be leaned on' = reliable, dependable. The 靠 character itself already carries the core meaning of leaning/relying.
可 — mouth 口 + breath marker 丁 (modified)
可 originally depicted a mouth (口) with a curved stroke suggesting exhaled breath or speech, conveying approval or assent. From this came the meaning 'to permit' or 'can,' as granting permission was expressed verbally. Today it broadly means 'may,' 'can,' or 'approve.'
靠 — 告 (gào, phonetic) + 非 (fēi)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 告 supplies the sound (gào → kào) and 非 ('back-to-back') hints at the meaning of leaning. Originally meant 'to lean against' something, then extended to 'rely on, depend on,' and in modern usage also 'reliable' or 'near to.'