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用来 (yòng lái) — to be used for (doing something), to serve the function of

Definition

用来 marks the purpose of a tool or object in an action (A 用来 + verb). For a more formal/written equivalent, use 用于; for applying a method or skill, use 运用.

verb
to be used for (doing something)to serve the function of

Examples

  • 用来。
    Zhè ge bēi zi shì yòng lái hē shuǐ de.
    This cup is used for drinking water.
  • 用来。
    Nà tái diàn nǎo yòng lái xiě zuò yè.
    That computer is used for doing homework.
  • 用来？
    Zhè bǎ sǎn yòng lái gàn shén me?
    What is this umbrella used for?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

用yònguse
来láicome

用 gives the sense of use, and 来 points to the purpose or result of that 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.

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

Open 用 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →
Appears in
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