Meaning of 有用
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- useful
How to use 有用
有用 works like an adjective and often follows 很 (hěn) or comes before 的 (de). It is also common in questions and negatives, like 没有用 (méiyǒu yòng) "no use." Example: 这本书很有用。(Zhè běn shū hěn yǒuyòng.) This book is very useful.
有 (yǒu) means "to have" and 用 (yòng) means "use," so 有用 literally means "has use." If something has a use, it is useful.
Common mistake: Learners often say 不有用 for "not useful," but 有 is negated with 没, so the correct form is 没有用 or 没用 (méi yòng). Also keep the tones straight: third tone yǒu, then fourth tone yòng.
有用 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.
有 yǒu · to have · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
用 yòng · to use · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 有用.
| 没有 | méiyǒu | haven't; hasn't |
| 还有 | hái yǒu | there still remain(s); there is (or are) still; in addition |
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not |
| 有些 | yǒuxiē | some; somewhat; rather; a bit |
| 有时 | yǒushí | sometimes; now and then |
| 有时候 | yǒushíhou | sometimes |
| 有名 | yǒumíng | famous; well-known |
| 有的 | yǒude | (there are) some (who are...); some (exist) |
| 有一些 | yǒuyīxiē | somewhat; rather |
| 所有 | suǒyǒu | all; to have; to possess; to own |
| 有人 | yǒu rén | someone; people |
| 使用 | shǐyòng | to use; to employ |
Questions about 有用
What does 有用 mean?
有用 (yǒuyòng) means "useful" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 有用?
有用 is made of 2 characters: 有 (6 strokes), 用 (5 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 有用 an HSK word?
Yes. 有用 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 有用 and 用处?
有用 describes something as useful, as in 很有用 (very useful). 用处 (yòngchu) is a noun meaning "use" or "purpose," as in 有什么用处? (What use does it have?).
How do I say something is useless in Chinese?
Say 没用 (méi yòng) or 没有用 (méiyǒu yòng). 没用 can also describe a person as useless, which sounds harsh, so use it with care.