Japanese word

用

Pronunciation

Romajiyō

Meaning

  • nounbusiness, errand

Example

今日は用があります。kyō wa yō ga a ri ma su

I have some business today.

Illustration for 用 (business)

More examples

土曜日は用があるので、遊べません。do yō hi wa yō ga a ru no de aso be ma se n

I have an errand on Saturday, so I cannot play.

出かける前に用を済ませます。de ka ke ru mae ni yō o su ma se ma su

I take care of my errand before going out.

Core concept

It centers on a matter that calls for action, from a personal errand to a task that needs handling.

Common phrases

  • 用があるyō ga a ru

    have business

  • 用を済ませるyō o su ma se ru

    finish an errand

Similar words

用事yōji: A particular task or errand that someone needs to take care of.

Definition in Japanese

しなければならない仕事や、処理すべき事柄。shi na ke re ba na ra na i shi goto ya sho ri su be ki koto gara

Word origin

The Japanese noun 用 (yō, "use; purpose") is a Sino-Japanese borrowing from Chinese 用 (yòng, "use; purpose"), with a related sense of a matter requiring action.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 用 (yō) can refer to an errand or other matter that needs attention, while English business often sounds more connected to commerce.

Other meanings

  • tasknoun

Word lists with this word