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利用 (lì yòng) — to use, to make use of; to exploit (can be neutral or negative)

Definition

利用 is 'use' with a sense of taking advantage — often neutral ('make use of time/opportunities') but can mean 'exploit' in a negative sense. Stronger and more purposeful than 使用; for 'exploit (people/labor)' use 剥削.

verb
to useto make use ofto exploit (can be neutral or negative)

Examples

  • 利用。
    Wǒ men yīng gāi chōng fèn lì yòng shí jiān xué xí.
    We should make full use of our time to study.
  • 利用。
    Tā lì yòng zhè ge jī huì tí gāo le zì jǐ de shuǐ píng.
    He used this opportunity to improve his own level.
  • 利用。
    Bú yào lì yòng bié rén de xìn rèn zuò huài shì.
    Don't exploit others' trust to do bad things.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

利lìbenefit
用yònguse

利用 joins 利 (benefit) and 用 (use), both pointing to making something serve a purpose.

Characters in this word

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

利 combines 禾 (grain) and 刀 (knife), showing a knife used to cut grain.

Open 利 →

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
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