用Tone 4

yòng ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 用

用 · yòng

To use;

to employ;

to apply;

to consume;

to spend;

to need;

function;

usefulness.

To useto employto apply

Usage highlights

To useUsefulUselessUsageUserFunction

Synonyms

使用— to use, to employ
运用— to utilize, to apply
利用— to make use of, to exploit

Antonyms

废— to discard, to abandon
弃— to abandon, to give up

Usage & contexts

Examples

I use a pen to write (用笔写字).
This tool is very useful (这个工具很有用).
We need to use our time wisely (我们要善用时间).
What is the use of this? (这有什么用?).

Collocations

To use(使用)
Useful(有用)
Useless(没用)
Usage(用法)
User(用户)
Function(功用)

Idioms

To make the best use of circumstances(因材施用)
To use people according to their abilities(量才录用)
To serve a useful purpose(物尽其用)
To use sparingly(省吃俭用)

Cultural background

The character 用 originally depicted a bronze bell, later evolving to mean 'to use' as bells were important ritual objects.
In Confucian thought, the concept of 'usefulness' (用) is often contrasted with 'substance' or 'essence' (体).
The character appears in many common phrases about practicality and efficiency in Chinese culture.

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