使用 (shǐ yòng) — to use, to employ, to apply | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

使用 (shǐyòng) is the general, all-purpose 'to use' for tools, methods, or time. Compared to 用 it sounds more formal and written; 使 is even more formal and can also mean 'to make (someone do something)'.

verb

to useto employto apply

Examples

使用。
Qǐng zhèng què shǐ yòng zhè ge gōng jù.
Please use this tool correctly.
使用。
Tā shǐ yòng diàn nǎo xiě zuò yè.
He uses a computer to do homework.
使用。
Zhè zhǒng yào bù néng cháng qī shǐ yòng.
This kind of medicine cannot be used long-term.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

Both 使 and 用 mean to employ, so together they form 'use'.

Characters in this word

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

亻吏使

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rén

Sound part声符shēngfú

吏

吏lì使shǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

使 pairs 亻 (person) with 吏, which pictures a hand holding something like a flag, giving the sense of a representative or ambassador.

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.

Appears in

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