用 (yòng) Meaning: to use, to employ, to have to — HSK 3 Chinese Character

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用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi	Pinyin	English	Tags
用	yòng	to use	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	to employ	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	to have to	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	to eat or drink	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	expense or outlay	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	usefulness	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	hence	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	therefore	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy
用	yòng	to use, to employ, to apply; use	HSK 3, p, 5 strokes, radical 用, rank #81, Easy

yòng(yong4) T4

1to use
2to employ

Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP

March 24, 2026

用yòng(yong4)

The character 用 (yòng) primarily means 'to use' or 'to employ.' It can refer to the act of utilizing something for a specific purpose, such as tools or resources. In various contexts, it can also imply necessity or expense, indicating the cost associated with usage.

Strokes5Radical用Frequency#81DifficultyEasy

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'using' extends beyond physical items to include relationships and social interactions. The phrase '用心' (yòng xīn), meaning 'to use one's heart,' emphasizes sincerity in effort and intention.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person using a tool (用) with both hands. The character resembles a hand (the top part) holding something, emphasizing the act of using. Think of 'yòng' as 'yawn' while using hands to stretch—you're using your body to express tiredness.

Meanings of 用

yòng(yong4)

1to use

2to employ

Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 用

用Simplified

5Strokes

用Radical

介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech

#81Frequency Rank

HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1

Podcast: 用

Podcast: 用

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AI Study Notes for 用

Quick Contrast

使用 (shǐyòng) vs. 运用 (yùnyòng) — choose 用 (yòng) for general usage, while 使用 (shǐyòng) emphasizes the action of using something, and 运用 (yùnyòng) implies a more skillful or effective application.

Memory Mnemonic

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 用 (yòng) with 使 (shǐ), which also means 'to use' but has a more formal connotation. This word is generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. Be mindful of using the correct measure word when discussing expenses.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 用 connects with other common verbs and action words. Focus on its versatility in different sentences and practice using it in contexts related to daily activities or tasks.

Cultural Note

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 用 (yòng) with 用于 (yòng yú), which means 'to be used for.' For example, saying '我用于这个' (wǒ yòng yú zhège) is incorrect when you mean 'I use this.' Instead, just say '我用这个' (wǒ yòng zhège).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 用

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Etymology of 用

Explanation

Originally a pictograph of a bucket with a handle on the right side. The current meaning "use" is a phonetic loan.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Decomposition of 用

IDS Structure⿵冂？

用Full Character

冂jiong1

enclosing

Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 用?

Write 用

用

Practice writing 用 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 用

用 functions as a preposition (often called a "coverb" in Chinese). It introduces a phrase that comes BEFORE the main verb (我在家吃饭, 给妈妈打电话), unlike English which puts prepositions after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

不____了，我自己来。

No need, I'll do it myself.

Example Sentences for 用 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP

我一直坚持用新鲜水果做甜点。

wǒ yī zhí jiān chí yòng xīn xiān shuǐ guǒ zuò tián diǎn。

I tend to stick to fresh fruit for pudding.

我之前建议成人服用的剂量可以降到1/2或者1/4。

wǒ zhī qián jiàn yì chéng rén fú yòng de jì liáng kě yǐ jiàng dào1/2 1/2 huò1/4。

The doses I suggested for adults could be halved or quartered.

为什么我感觉又被利用了？

wéi shí mó wǒ gǎn jué yòu bèi lì yòng le？

Why do I have the feeling I'm being used again?

我尤其喜欢那种用螺钉固定在墙上的搁板。

wǒ yóu qí xǐ huān nà zhǒng yòng luó dīng gù dìng zài qiáng shàng de gē bǎn。

I particularly like the type of shelving that screws to the wall.

请于今日将随函附上的捐款表格用所提供的邮资预付的信封寄回。

qǐng yú jīn rì jiāng suí hán fù shàng de juān kuǎn biǎo gé yòng suǒ tí gōng de yóu zī yù fù de xìn fēng jì huí。

Return the enclosed Donation Form today in the prepaid envelope provided.

因为正在使用很多昂贵的设备，所以我非常紧张。

yīn wéi zhèng zài shǐ yòng hěn duō áng guì de shè bèi，， suǒ yǐ wǒ fēi cháng jǐn。

I get very nervous because I'm using a lot of expensive equipment.

我用短波收音机收听最新的战事新闻。

wǒ yòng duǎn bō shōu yīn jī shōu tīng zuì xīn de zhàn shì xīn wén。

I use the short-wave radio to get the latest war news.

他们只是大概知道可用水的总量。

tā mén zhī shì dà gài zhī dào kě yòng shuǐ de zǒng liáng。

They have only a vague idea of the amount of water available.

首相承诺以色列将发挥积极的作用。

shǒu xiāng chéng nuò yǐ sè liè jiāng fā huī jī jí de zuò yòng。

The Prime Minister has promised that Israel will play a constructive role.

这些表达方式经常相互替代使用，但它们的含义确实有所不同。

zhè xiē biǎo dá fāng shì jīng cháng xiāng hù tì dài shǐ yòng，， dàn tā mén de hán yì què shí yǒu suǒ bù。

These expressions are often used interchangeably, but they do have different meanings.

Cultural Notes for 用

🏮Cultural insight

Word Family of 用

Compounds14

拥yong1to hold

佣yong1commission (for middleman)

扁bian3surname Pian

庸yong1ordinary

甭beng2need not

甬tong3path; river in Ningbo; Ningbo

僃

甪Lu4surname

甮

痈yong1ulcer, sore, carbuncle, abcess

甯ning2peaceful

癟bie3shriveled, dried up; vexed

砽

苚

Words Containing This Character20

用yòngto use

使用shǐyòngto use

作用zuòyòngto act on

利用lìyòngto exploit

不用búyòngneed not

采用cǎiyòngto adopt採用

用户yònghùuser用戶

应用yìngyòngto use應用

费用fèiyongcost費用

用于yòngyúuse in

运用yùnyòngto use運用

用来yòngláito be used for用來

信用卡xìnyòngkǎcredit card

适用shìyòngto be applicable適用

没用méiyònguseless沒用

管用guǎnyònguseful

有用yǒuyònguseful

信用xìnyòngto trust

用品yòngpǐnproducts

服用fúyòngto take (medicine)

Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 拥 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 用

1How do I use 用 in a sentence?

You can say '我用手机' (wǒ yòng shǒujī) meaning 'I use my phone.'

2Can 用 be used in formal writing?

3What is a common phrase that includes 用?

Meanings of 用

Listen & Choose the Meaning

About 用

Podcast: 用

AI Study Notes for 用

Pronunciation of 用

AI tone practice

Etymology of 用

Decomposition of 用

Identify the Components

Write 用

Grammar Patterns of 用

Complete the Sentence

Example Sentences for 用 (10)

Cultural Notes for 用

Word Family of 用

Compound Meaning

Frequently Asked Questions about 用

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