What does 用 mean in Chinese?

用 (yòng) means "to use" in Chinese. The new HSK exam expects you to recognise it at HSK 3.

How do you write 用?

Use the interactive stroke-order tool to see how 用 is written.

What is the radical of 用?

The radical of 用 is 用 (use, Kangxi radical #101).

How many strokes does 用 have?

Stroke count information for 用 is being updated.

What HSK level is 用?

On the new HSK exam syllabus, 用 is a character to recognise at HSK 3 and to write by hand at HSK 3.

用 (yòng): Meaning, Stroke Order, Radical & Examples

用

yòng

to use

HSK 3 character Radical: 用 (use)

Quick Answer

用 (yòng) means "to use" with radical 用 (use), HSK 3 on the new exam.

Full dictionary entry for 用 →Animated stroke-order for 用 →

Pronunciation

yòng

Meaning

Primary: to use

Etymology

Oracle-bone origin

Oracle bone and bronze forms show what most scholars read as a wooden bucket or a bell-shaped container with a central handle, though the exact referent is debated. An older theory, followed by the Shuowen Jiezi, treats it as a pictograph of a divination tool, with the idea of 'applying' deriving from ritual use. Either way the character is a concrete object, not a compound.

Form evolution

The rounded container of the oracle bone shape was regularised in seal script into a rectangular frame with a central vertical stroke and two horizontals. Clerical script straightened the outline into the familiar box-with-bar shape, and the modern 用 preserves the seal structure almost exactly with only angular simplification.

How the meaning evolved

From the concrete object the meaning moved early to 'to use, to apply, to employ'. Classical texts already show it as a verb of general use and as a noun meaning 'utility' or 'function'. Modern Mandarin keeps both, plus the grammatical function of introducing an instrument, as in 用筷子 (use chopsticks).

Cultural note

The noun sense survives in compounds like 作用 (function, effect) and 费用 (expenses, literally 'spent use'). A common learner mistake is treating 用 as interchangeable with 使, but 用 focuses on the tool or method, while 使 emphasises causing someone or something to act.

Basic info

Pinyin	yòng
Meanings	to use
Radical	用 (#101: use)
New HSK exam	Recognise at HSK 3, write by hand at HSK 3
Frequency	#65 most common

Example sentences

我用手机。
Wǒ yòng shǒujī.
I use a phone.
From 用 (HSK 3)
这有很大作用。
Zhè yǒu hěn dà zuòyòng.
This has a great impact.
From 作用 (HSK 4)
我用信用卡付款。
Wǒ yòng xìnyòngkǎ fùkuǎn.
I pay with a credit card.
From 信用卡 (HSK 3)

Words containing 用

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
用	yòng	to use	HSK 3
作用	zuòyòng	impact	HSK 4
信用卡	xìnyòngkǎ	Credit card	HSK 3
使用	shǐyòng	Use	HSK 4
利用	lìyòng	utilize	HSK 5
日用品	rìyòngpǐn	Daily Necessities	HSK 5
应用	yìngyòng	application	HSK 5
用功	yònggōng	Diligent	HSK 6
运用	yùnyòng	Application	HSK 5
实用	shíyòng	Practical	HSK 5
用途	yòngtú	purpose	HSK 5
不用	bùyòng	need not	HSK 3
采用	cǎiyòng	to adopt, to employ	HSK 5
代用	dàiyòng	substitute, ersatz
动用	dòngyòng	to put to use, to employ	HSK 7-9
费用	fèiyòng	cost, expenses	HSK 4
副作用	fùzuòyòng	side effect	HSK 7-9

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 用 with the rest of your level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Free AP Chinese Practice Test: Test Your Level (2026)

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.