Chinese word

用来

Pronunciation

Pinyinyòng lái

Meaning

  • verbbe used for

Example

这张纸用来记笔记。zhè zhāng zhǐ yòng lái jì bǐ jì

This paper is used for taking notes.

Illustration for 用来 (be used for)

More examples

这台电脑用来做设计。zhè tái diàn nǎo yòng lái zuò shè jì

This computer is used for design.

Core concept

A marker that points from a thing or method toward the action it serves.

Common phrases

  • 用来做yòng lái zuò

    be used for doing

  • 用来表示yòng lái biǎo shì

    be used to show

  • 用来记笔记yòng lái jì bǐ jì

    be used for taking notes

Similar words

用yòng: Uses something to carry out an action or achieve a result.
使用shǐ yòng: Employs a tool or method in a formal or written style.
利用lì yòng: Uses an available thing or situation to achieve a desired purpose.
用于yòng yú: States the intended use of something in formal or written language.

Definition in Chinese

用来表示把某物或某种方法拿来做某事，说明用途或目的，常放在名词或代词后并与动词短语连用。yòng lái biǎo shì bǎ mǒu wù huò móu zhǒng fāng fǎ ná lái zuò mǒu shì shuō míng yòng tú huò mù dì cháng fàng zài míng cí huò dài cí hòu bìng yǔ dòng cí duán yǔ lián yòng

Word origin

用 (yòng, "use") + 来 (lái, "come") combines the idea of using something with a direction toward the purpose it serves.

Usage tips

  • 用来 (yònglái, "be used for") describes a thing's function, while 为了 (wèile, "in order to") introduces a person's purpose, so the two are not interchangeable.

Other meanings

  • forpreposition

Related words

Word lists with this word