English–Japanese

“use” in Japanese

Japanese

Also利用 (riyō) · 用いる (mochiiru) · 使用 (shiyō) · 活用 (katsuyō) · 用途 (yōto)

Pronunciation

Romajitsukau

Example

毎日スマホを使います。mai nichi su ma ho o tsuka i ma su

I use a smartphone every day.

Illustration for 使う (use)

How to say “use” in Japanese

“Use” in Japanese is 使う (tsukau).

Describes making something serve a particular purpose by operating or applying it.

Full entry for 使う: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 使う

えんぴつを使います。e n pi tsu o tsuka i ma su

I use a pencil.

分からない言葉を調べるときは、辞書を使います。wa ka ra na i koto ba o shira be ru to ki wa ji sho o tsuka i ma su

When I look up words I do not know, I use a dictionary.

Tips for using 使う

  • In everyday conversation, これを使ってもいい (kore o tsukatte mo ii) means "May I use this?" and provides a common way to ask permission.

Other Japanese words for “use”

この図書館を利用します。ko no to sho kan o ri yō shi ma su

I use this library.

この道具を用います。ko no dō gu o mochi i ma su

I use this tool.

この道具を使用します。ko no dō gu o shi yō shi ma su

I use this tool.

この知識を活用します。ko no chi shiki o katsu yō shi ma su

I will use this knowledge.

この道具にはいろいろな用途があります。ko no dō gu ni wa i ro i ro na yō to ga a ri ma su

This tool has many uses.

この古い箱にも使い道があります。ko no furu i bako ni mo tsuka i michi ga a ri ma su

This old box has a use too.

監督は新人の起用を決めました。kan toku wa shin jin no ki yō o ki me ma shi ta

The coach decided to use a rookie.

“use” in other languages