Meaning of 利用
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to exploit
- to make use of
- to use
- to take advantage of
- to utilize
How to use 利用
利用 is used for making good use of time, resources, or opportunities, and it can also mean taking advantage of a person in a negative way. Example: 我想利用周末学习中文。(Wǒ xiǎng lìyòng zhōumò xuéxí Zhōngwén.) I want to make use of the weekend to study Chinese.
利 (lì) means benefit or advantage, and 用 (yòng) means to use. Put them together and you get using something to your benefit, which is exactly what 利用 means.
Common mistake: Learners often use 利用 where 使用 (shǐyòng) fits better. 使用 is neutral for operating tools, like 使用电脑 (use a computer), while 利用 stresses getting value out of something or exploiting someone. Saying 他利用我 sounds like he used you unfairly, not that he simply asked for help.
利用 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
利 lì · sharp · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
用 yòng · to use · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 利用.
Questions about 利用
What does 利用 mean?
利用 (lìyòng) means "to exploit; to make use of" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 利用?
利用 is made of 2 characters: 利 (7 strokes), 用 (5 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 利用 an HSK word?
Yes. 利用 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 利用 negative when talking about people?
Usually, yes. 被利用 (bèi lìyòng), to be used, suggests someone was manipulated for another person's gain. With things like time or resources, 利用 is positive or neutral.
What are common phrases with 利用?
Common ones include 利用时间 (make use of time), 利用机会 (take advantage of an opportunity), and 充分利用 (chōngfèn lìyòng, make full use of). 利用率 (lìyònglǜ) means utilization rate.