The Spanish verb 'depender' (to depend) comes from the Latin word 'dependere', which literally meant 'to hang down from'. This Latin word was formed by combining two parts: the prefix 'de-' meaning 'down from', and the verb 'pendere' meaning 'to hang' or 'to weigh'. The metaphorical sense of depending on something or someone developed from this physical image of hanging down from something else - just as something hanging depends on its support above.

Several common Spanish words share this Latin root 'pendere'. For example: 'pender' (to hang), 'pendiente' (pending, hanging, or earring), and 'suspender' (to suspend). All these words maintain connections to the original concept of hanging or being suspended from something.

Many English words are related to 'depender' through the same Latin root. 'Depend' is the direct English cognate, but we also have words like 'pendant' (a hanging ornament), 'pending' (hanging or awaiting), 'suspend' (to hang up), and 'perpendicular' (hanging straight down). The word 'pension' also comes from this root, as it originally referred to a payment that 'hangs' or depends on previous service.