Question 1

What does 用 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

用 (yòng) is the basic Chinese verb 'to use' and also a coverb meaning 'with / by means of.' As a verb: 我用电脑工作 ('I use a computer to work'). As a coverb introducing the instrument: 用筷子吃饭 ('eat with chopsticks'), 用中文写 ('write in Chinese').

Word order is fixed — 用 + tool + main verb — and is the standard way Chinese expresses 'with / using,' since there is no preposition equivalent to English 'with.' Other key uses: the negative 不用 means 'no need to / don't have to' (不用谢 — 'no need to thank me / you're welcome'); 有用 means 'useful' and 没用 means 'useless'; 用功 means 'hardworking / diligent.' 用 also appears in many compounds related to function and purpose (作用, 使用, 用法).

Question 2

How do you pronounce 用?

Accepted Answer

用 is pronounced yòng — 用 (yòng).

Question 3

Is 用 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

用 is a verb, register: neutral.

Question 4

What's the difference between 用 and 有?

Accepted Answer

有 means 'to have / there is.' Sounds nothing alike to native ears but the characters look similar to beginners. 我有钱 ('I have money') vs 我用钱 ('I use money').

Question 5

What's the difference between 用 and 拥?

Accepted Answer

拥 (in 拥有 yōngyǒu 'to possess') sounds close to 用 but is a different character. Don't substitute one for the other.

用

What does 用 mean?

Character breakdown

Example sentences

Common phrases with 用

Synonyms

Don't confuse 用 with

FAQ

Hear 用 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.