用yòngto use; to make use of; to employ
用 (yòng) means "to use" or "to employ" something. As a coverb it can mean "with" or "using" before a tool or means, then a main verb, as in 用手机看. Prefer the everyday use sense; read context for the with/using coverb reading.
What does 用 mean?
- 1.
to use; to make use of; to employverb
- 2.
(coverb) with; usingverb
What does the character 用 mean?
- 用to use; to make use of; to employ
How do you use 用?
Grammar patterns
- 1
用 + Tool / Means + Verb Phrase
Put 用 before a tool or means, then the main verb phrase, to say you use that thing to do the action.
用 can stand alone as "to use," or sit before a tool and another verb for "using X to …"; everyday speech uses both.
Patterns
用 + Obj.
我用中文。
Wǒ yòng Zhōngwén.
I use Chinese.
用 + Tool + Verb
请用笔写。
Qǐng yòng bǐ xiě.
Please write with a pen.
可以 + 用 + Obj.
你可以用这个。
Nǐ kě yǐ yòng zhè ge.
You can use this.
What are some examples of 用 in a sentence?
How is 用 used in a conversation?
- Speaker A:
你用中文吗？
Nǐ yòng Zhōngwén ma?
Do you use Chinese?
- Speaker B:
用，我用中文。
Yòng, wǒ yòng Zhōngwén.
Yes, I use Chinese.
- Speaker A:
我可以用这个吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ yòng zhège ma?
Can I use this?
- Speaker B:
可以，请用。
Kěyǐ, qǐng yòng.
Yes, please use it.
- Speaker A:
他用什么看？
Tā yòng shénme kàn?
What does he use to look / watch?
- Speaker B:
他用手机看。
Tā yòng shǒujī kàn.
He uses a phone to look / watch.
Can you use 用 correctly?
0 of 3 answeredWhat should you learn next?
- Free HSK 3 level testSee which HSK 3.0 level your vocabulary matches.
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- HSK 3.0 guideHow the nine levels and three bands work.
Related words
- 做zuòto make; to produceHSK 1
- 看kànto see; to look atHSK 1
- 给gěito giveHSK 1
- 可以kě yǐcan; may; possible; able toHSK 1
- 的deof; 's (possessive particle)HSK 1
- 要yàoto want; to need; to ask forHSK 1
Browse every entry in the Chinese word dictionary.
English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.