Definition
顶用 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to be of use' or 'to serve the purpose'. It is most commonly used in negative sentences (不顶用 'useless') or rhetorical questions with 什么 inserted between the two syllables (顶什么用? 'What use is it?'). You cannot directly put an object after it; instead, it usually appears without a direct object or with a rhetorical structure.
v.o.
to be of useto serve the purpose
Examples
- 顶用，。Zhège gōngjù bù dǐng yòng, huàn le bié de ba.This tool is useless; let's switch to another one.
- ？。Guāng zháojí dǐng shénme yòng? Déi xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.What's the use of just worrying? You need to think of a way to solve the problem.
- ，顶用。Zhè shuāng xié suīrán jiù le, dàn hái hěn dǐng yòng.These shoes are old, but they're still useful.
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