使う
tsukau[t͡sɨ̥ka̠ɯ̟]
To use in Japanese is 使う.
The verb refers to the action of using something.
Which one should you use?
While 使う is the general verb for 'to use', 使用する is used for more formal or technical contexts such as 'utilizing' a function or service.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard informal way to say 'to use' is 使う. For formal situations, you can use 使います. In technical or business settings, the form 使用します is common. For highly formal occasions, a respectful way to express 'to use' is ご利用になります.
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form of 使う is 使わない, meaning 'do not use' or 'will not use'. To express 'used' in the polite past tense, use 使いました. You can also express the desire to use something by adding the suffix -tai to the stem, changing 使う to 使いたい, meaning 'want to use'.
How do you pronounce it?
tsukau, tukafu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, you can say 使う to describe employing a person, such as a subordinate or an assistant, to get a task done.
- The word 使い捨て combines the verb 使う with 'throw away' to describe 'disposable' items, literally meaning 'use and discard'.
- The phrase 使い分け describes the act of choosing different tools or words depending on the specific situation to be more precise.
Examples in context
- 使うの簡単だよ。It's simple to use.This sentence shows how to describe something as simple to use with 使う.Tatoeba #8950341 by bunbuku, translation #4012189 by CK
- それを使うつもりなの？Are you going to use that?This sentence is useful for asking if someone intends to use something with 使う.Tatoeba #8814364 by bunbuku, translation #4487400 by CK
- 簡単な単語を使うようにするよ。I'll try to use simple words.This sentence demonstrates expressing an intention to try to use simple words with 使う.Tatoeba #10335073 by small_snow, translation #10335071 by DJ_Saidez
- 私はコンピューターを使います。I use a computer.
- このペンを使うよ。I'm gonna use this pen.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himi and Kenta are in the kitchen preparing a meal.
- 陽葵 Himariこの包丁を使ってもいい？Kono hōchō o tsukatte mo ii?Can I use this knife?
- 健太 Kentaうん、いいよ。使って。Un, ii yo. Tsukatte.Yeah, go ahead. Use it.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。健太は何かを使う？Arigatō. Kenta wa nanika o tsukau?Thanks. Are you going to use anything, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta僕はもういいよ。Boku wa mō ii yo.I'm all set.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 使う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
