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管用 (guǎn yòng) — effective, useful, that works (in a practical way)

Definition

管用 means something actually works in practice — a method, drug, or person's words get results. More concrete than 有用 (useful in general) and stronger than 有效 (technically valid/effective).

adjective
effectiveusefulthat works (in a practical way)

Examples

  • 管用，。
    Zhè ge bàn fǎ hěn guǎn yòng, nǐ shì shì kàn.
    This method works well — give it a try.
  • 管用？
    Zhè zhǒng yào duì tóu tòng guǎn yòng ma?
    Is this medicine effective for headaches?
  • ，。
    Nǐ shuō huà bù guǎn yòng, hái shì huàn gè rén qù ba.
    Your words don't carry weight; better send someone else.

Origin

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
官
官guān管guǎn
Same sound today

管 has 竹 (bamboo) on top to show it relates to bamboo, and 官 gives its sound.

Open 管 →

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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