用 meaning and stroke order
To use; to make use of; to employ; (coverb) with; using; to need; to have to (usu. used in the negative or in questions)
How to write 用, stroke by stroke
5 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Meaning of 用
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to use; to make use of; to employ
- (coverb) with; using
- to need; to have to (usu. used in the negative or in questions)
- usefulness; utility
- (bound form) expense; outlay
- (courteous) to eat; to drink
How 用 is built
Components of the character.
How to remember 用
用 (yòng) has an outer frame 冂 with lines running through it, so picture a sturdy tool or rack with handles that you pick up and use. The frame holds things together, and anything that holds together well is useful.
用 is a very common verb meaning to use, and it also works like the English word with when describing the tool you use to do something. Example: 我用筷子吃饭。(Wǒ yòng kuàizi chī fàn.) I eat with chopsticks.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 用 with 甩 (shuǎi, to swing or fling), which looks almost the same but has a hooked stroke curving out at the bottom right. Also remember that 用 is fourth tone, yòng, not third tone.
Common words with 用
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not | HSK 1 |
| 有用 | yǒuyòng | useful | HSK 1 |
| 使用 | shǐyòng | to use; to employ | HSK 2 |
| 作用 | zuòyòng | to act on; to affect; action; function; activity | HSK 2 |
| 信用卡 | xìnyòngkǎ | credit card | HSK 2 |
| 常用 | cháng yòng | in common usage | HSK 2 |
| 利用 | lìyòng | to exploit; to make use of | HSK 3 |
| 没用 | méiyòng | useless | HSK 3 |
| 费用 | fèiyong | cost; expenditure | HSK 3 |
| 采用 | cǎiyòng | to adopt; to employ | HSK 3 |
| 适用 | shìyòng | to be applicable | HSK 3 |
| 应用 | yìngyòng | to put to use; to apply; practical; applied (science, linguistics etc) | HSK 3 |
| 运用 | yùnyòng | to use; to put to use | HSK 4 |
| 用途 | yòngtú | use; application | HSK 4 |
用 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 用
Learning 用 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 用
How many strokes are in 用?
用 is written with 5 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 用 mean?
用 (yòng) means to use; to make use of; to employ; (coverb) with; using; to need; to have to (usu. used in the negative or in questions). A common word with it is 不用 (bùyòng), meaning "need not".
How do you pronounce 用?
用 is pronounced yòng, in the fourth tone (falling).
Is 用 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 用 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
What does 不用 mean and how is it different from 没用?
不用 (bùyòng) means you do not need to, as in 不用谢 (bùyòng xiè), no need to thank me. 没用 (méiyòng) means useless or of no use, as in 这个东西没用 (zhège dōngxi méiyòng), this thing is useless.
Can 用 mean to need?
Yes, usually in negative sentences or questions. For example, 你用不用我帮忙？(Nǐ yòng bu yòng wǒ bāngmáng?) means Do you need me to help?