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实用 (shí yòng) — practical, functional, pragmatic

Definition

Describes a tool, method, or skill that works well in real use (more specific than 有用, which is just 'useful'). Pairs with 应用 in 'applied' contexts like 实用技能 / 应用科学.

adjective
practicalfunctionalpragmatic
Easily confused

Examples

  • 实用，。
    Zhè ge shè jì hěn shí yòng, yòng qǐ lái hěn fāng biàn.
    This design is very practical; it's convenient to use.
  • 实用，。
    Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn hěn shí yòng, néng bāng nǐ jiě jué hěn duō wèn tí.
    This software is very functional; it can help you solve many problems.
  • 实用。
    shí yòng Jì néng bǐ lǐ lùn zhī shi gèng zhòng yào.
    Practical skills are more important than theoretical knowledge.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

实shípractical
用yònguse

实用 pairs 实 (practical) and 用 (use) to mean useful in practice.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Good & Bad

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