TraceHanzi

适用 meaning in English

shìyòng

to be applicable

HSK 3adjectiveTraditional 適用14 strokes

Meaning of 适用

Definitions from CC-CEDICT.

shìyòng
  1. to be applicable

How to use 适用

适用 describes whether a rule, method, or product applies to or works for a situation or group. It often appears in the pattern 适用于 (shìyòng yú), "applicable to." Example: 这个方法适用于初学者。(Zhège fāngfǎ shìyòng yú chūxuézhě.) This method is suitable for beginners.

适 (shì) means to fit or suit, as in 合适 (héshì), and 用 (yòng) means to use. Something 适用 is "fit for use" in a certain situation.

Common mistake: Learners often mix up 适用 (shìyòng) and 使用 (shǐyòng). They sound almost the same, but 使用 means "to use" as an action, while 适用 means "to be applicable." Also note the tones: 适 is fourth tone, 使 is third tone.

适用 in example sentences

Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.

此cǐ法fǎ适shì用yòng于yú所suǒ有yǒu情qíng况kuàng。
This law is applicable to all cases.
这zhè条tiáo规guī则zé不bú是shì甚shén么me时shí候hòu都dōu适shì用yòng的de。
This rule doesn't apply to every case.
此cǐ输shū入rù法fǎ也yě适shì用yòng于yú这zhè个ge版bǎn本běn。
The input method also works with this version.
这zhè条tiáo规guī则zé只zhǐ适shì用yòng于yú外wài国guó人rén。
This rule is applied to foreigners only.
这zhè把bǎ剪jiǎn刀dāo左zuǒ右yòu撇piē子zi都dōu适shì用yòng。
These scissors are suitable for left and right-handed people.

Stroke order for each character

Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.

适 shì · match · 9 strokes

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

用 yòng · to use · 5 strokes

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Related words

Words that share a character with 适用.

不用bùyòngneed not
有用yǒuyònguseful
使用shǐyòngto use; to employ
合适héshìsuitable; fitting; appropriate
作用zuòyòngto act on; to affect; action; function; activity
信用卡xìnyòngkǎcredit card
常用cháng yòngin common usage
利用lìyòngto exploit; to make use of
适合shìhéto fit; to suit
没用méiyònguseless
适应shìyìngto adapt; to fit
费用fèiyongcost; expenditure

Questions about 适用

What does 适用 mean?

适用 (shìyòng) means "to be applicable" and is used as a adjective.

How do you write 适用?

适用 is made of 2 characters: 适 (9 strokes), 用 (5 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.

Is 适用 an HSK word?

Yes. 适用 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.

How is 适用 written in traditional Chinese?

In traditional characters, 适用 is written 適用.

What is the difference between 适用 and 合适?

合适 (héshì) means suitable or a good fit in general, such as clothes or timing. 适用 focuses on whether something can be applied or works for a purpose, like a rule, discount, or tool.

How do I say something does not apply?

Use 不适用 (bù shìyòng). For example, 这个规定不适用于学生。(Zhège guīdìng bù shìyòng yú xuésheng.) This rule does not apply to students.

补Previous in HSK 3bǔ