Japanese word

使い

Pronunciation

Romajitsukai

Meaning

  • nounerrand

Example

母に頼まれて使いに行きます。haha ni tano ma re te tsuka i ni i ki ma su

I am going on an errand for my mother.

Illustration for 使い (errand)

More examples

兄に使いを頼みました。ani ni tsuka i o tano mi ma shi ta

I asked my older brother to run an errand.

Core concept

Refers to going somewhere to complete a task requested by another person.

Common phrases

  • 使いに行くtsuka i ni i ku

    go on an errand

  • 使いを頼むtsuka i o tano mu

    ask someone to run an errand

  • 使いができるtsuka i ga de ki ru

    have an errand come up

Similar words

お使いotsukai: An errand, often a simple task done at another person's request.
用事yōji: A matter that requires going somewhere or taking some action, often at another person's request.
使い走りtsukaihashiri: A task of going out to carry out a request for another person, sometimes as a repeated duty.

Definition in Japanese

人から頼まれて、用事を果たすために出かけること。hito ka ra tano ma re te yō ji o ha ta su ta me ni de ka ke ru ko to

Word origin

使い (tsukai) is formed from the verb 使う (tsukau, "to use" or "to send") by using its verb stem as a noun, with the errand sense linked to being sent on a task.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 使い (tsukai) can refer not only to the task but also to the person sent to carry it out, a use that English errand usually does not have.

Word lists with this word