用 yòng — to use
yòng (fourth tone, falling)yong4
to use
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardverbpreposition
Meanings
to use
To put something to work: 用手机, 用信用卡, 用汉语. The negative 不用 has drifted into its own word meaning "no need" — 不用谢, don’t mention it.
verbwith, by means of (introducing an instrument)
prepositionThe instrument comes first in Chinese: 用筷子吃饭, eat with chopsticks — 用 and its object stand before the verb, never after. The same slot holds 跟, 给, 对 and 在.
Example sentences
- 我可以用一下你的手机吗？我可以用一下你的手機嗎？Wǒ (third tone, dipping) kěyǐ (third tone, dipping) yòng (fourth tone, falling) yíxià (second tone, rising) nǐ (third tone, dipping) de (neutral tone) shǒujī (third tone, dipping) ma? (neutral tone)···
May I use your phone for a moment?
- 中国人用筷子吃饭。中國人用筷子吃飯。Zhōngguó (first tone, high and level) rén (second tone, rising) yòng (fourth tone, falling) kuàizi (fourth tone, falling) chīfàn. (first tone, high and level)···
Chinese people eat with chopsticks.
Common mistakes
Not quite他吃饭用筷子。
Correct他用筷子吃饭。
English adds the instrument at the end; Chinese states it before the action. 用筷子 sets up how, and only then comes 吃饭 — the same order as 在家吃饭 and 跟朋友说话.