Translation and Meaning of: 使う - tsukau

The Japanese word 使う[つかう] is an essential verb for those learning the language. Its main meaning is "to use," but it appears in various contexts of everyday Japanese, from objects to skills. In this article, we will explore its usage, origin, and some curiosities that help to better understand this expression that is so present in the language.

In addition to being a common word in everyday conversations, 使う has interesting particularities in its writing and pronunciation. If you've ever wondered how to memorize it or in which situations it appears most frequently, keep reading to discover details that go beyond the dictionary.

Meaning and use of 使う in everyday life

The verb 使う is often translated as "to use" or "to utilize," but its usage goes beyond the literal meaning. It can indicate the use of objects, as in "ハサミを使う" (using scissors), or even skills, as in "頭を使う" (using one’s head, in the sense of thinking). This versatility makes it an indispensable word in any conversation.

It's worth noting that 使う is not limited to physical contexts. In the Japanese language, it also appears in more abstract expressions, such as "時間を使う" (use time) or "お金を使う" (spend money). This flexibility demonstrates how the verb is rooted in the daily communication of the Japanese.

The origin and writing of the kanji 使

The kanji 使 is composed of the radical 人 (person) and a phonetic element that suggests its reading. Historically, it carries the idea of "sending someone" or "making use of," which relates to its current meaning. This connection between form and meaning helps to understand why it was chosen to represent the verb つかう.

One curiosity about this kanji is that it also appears in other words, such as 使用 (しよう - use) and 使者 (ししゃ - messenger). Observing these relationships can be helpful for those who wish to expand their Japanese vocabulary in a more intuitive way.

Tips for memorizing and using 使う correctly

An effective way to cement 使う in memory is to associate it with practical situations. For example, when picking up an object, think about how you would say "to use" in Japanese. Mentally repeating "これを使う" (use this) during simple activities creates a natural connection between the word and its meaning.

Another tip is to pay attention to how the Japanese use this verb in series, animes, or real conversations. Often, the context helps to understand nuances that are not in books. If possible, write down sentences where 使う appears and try to recreate them in other scenarios to practice.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 使う

• 使う - Forma do Presente: use
• 使う - Forma do Passado: used
• 使う - Forma do Futuro: use
• 使う - Forma Negativa: not used
• 使う - Forma Imperativa: Use it.
• 使う - Forma Condicional: if used

Synonyms and similar words

• 使用する (shiyou suru) - Use, employ something in a general way.
• 利用する (riyou suru) - Using something efficiently, often in the context of services or resources.
• 用いる (mochiiru) - Use, employ, generally in a more formal or literary context.
• 使いする (tsukai suru) - Use, to make use of something, similar to 使う.
• 使役する (shieki suru) - To make someone use something; to intend to employ something.
• 駆使する (kushi suru) - Utilize fully or skillfully, especially skills or tools.
• 運用する (unyou suru) - Manage or operate, often in the context of systems or processes.
• 施す (hodokosu) - Implement, apply, give, especially in a context of donations or services.
• 行使する (koushi suru) - Exercise, use a right or power formally.
• 操る (ayatsuru) - Manipulate, control, especially in a careful or subtle context.
• 手にする (te ni suru) - Obtain, have in hand; it's a more colloquial term.
• 取り扱う (toriatsukau) - Handle, deal with, especially in the context of products or services.
• 動員する (dōin suru) - Mobilize, especially in a context of resources or people.
• 活用する (katsuyou suru) - To apply or actively use something, especially in creative or productive contexts.
• 運ぶ (hakobu) - Transport, to take something from one place to another.
• 運び出す (hakobidasu) - Start transporting something outside.
• 運び込む (hakobikomu) - Transport something inside.
• 運び入れる (hakobiireru) - Take something inside; similar to 運び込む.
• 運び出し (hakobidashi) - The act of carrying something outside.
• 運び込み (hakobikomi) - The act of bringing something inside.
• 運び入り (hakobiri) - The act of bringing something inside, a concept similar to 運び入れる.
• 運び出せる (hakobidaseru) - Ability to carry something outside.
• 運び込める (hakobikomeru) - Capacity to transport something inside.
• 運び入れられる (hakobiirerareru) - Capacity to be taken in.
• 運び出しやすい (hakobidashi yasui) - Easy to transport outside.
• 運び込みやすい (hakobikomi yasui) - Easy to transport indoors.
• 運び入りやすい (hakobiri yasui) - Easy to take inside.

使う

Romaji: tsukau
Kana: つかう
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to use; to handle; manipulate; employ; need; to want; to spend; consume; speak English); practice (surround); take (lunch); circular (bad money)

Meaning in English: to use;to handle;to manipulate;to employ;to need;to want;to spend;to consume;to speak (English);to practise (fencing);to take (one's lunch);to circulate (bad money)

Definition: Manipulate objects, tools, etc. according to their purpose.

Example Sentences - (使う) tsukau

See below some example sentences:

敬語を使うことは大切です。

Keigo wo tsukau koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to use respectful language.

It is important to use honorifics.

• 敬語 - Japanese term that refers to the use of formal and respectful expressions in the Japanese language.
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 使う - Japanese verb that means "to use".
• こと - Japanese noun that indicates an abstract action or event.
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 - Japanese adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• です - Japanese linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence.

香辛料を使って料理を作りました。

Kōshinryō o tsukatte ryōri o tsukurimashita

I made a meal using spices.

I cooked using spices.

• 香辛料 - condimentos
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 料理 - cuisine
• を - direct object particle
• 作りました - fez

縄を使って遊ぶのは楽しいです。

Nawa o tsukatte asobu no wa tanoshii desu

Playing with rope is fun.

It's fun to play with a rope.

• 縄 (nawa) - rope
• を (wo) - object particle
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• 遊ぶ (asobu) - play
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (polite form)

材木を使って家を建てる。

Zaimoku o tsukatte ie o tateru

Build a house using wood.

Build a house using wood.

• 材木 - means "wood for construction".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 使って - verb form of the verb 使う (tsukau), which means "to use".
• 家 - means "home".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 建てる - verb form of the verb 建てる (tateru), which means "to build".

鋏を使って紙を切ります。

Hagane o tsukatte kami o kirimasu

I cut the paper with scissors.

Cut the paper using scissors.

• 鋏 (hasami) - tesoura
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• 紙 (kami) - paper
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 切ります (kirimasu) - cortar

石炭は火力発電所で使われる重要なエネルギー源です。

Ishitan wa karyoku hatsudensho de tsukawareru juuyou na enerugii gen desu

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

• 石炭 (sekitan) - carvão
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 火力発電所 (karyoku hatsudensho) - power plant
• で (de) - Location particle
• 使われる (tsukawareru) - to be used
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• エネルギー源 (enerugii gen) - energy source
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

油を使わない料理が健康的です。

Abura wo tsukawanai ryouri ga kenkouteki desu

Cooking without oil is healthy.

Cooking that does not use oil is healthy.

• 油を使わない - do not use oil
• 料理 - cuisine
• が - subject particle
• 健康的 - saudável
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

括弧を使って文章を区切ってください。

Kakko wo tsukatte bunshou wo kugiratte kudasai

Please separate the text using parentheses.

Separate text using parentheses.

• 括弧 - It means "parentheses" in Japanese.
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 使って - conjugated form of the verb "tsukatte", meaning "to use"
• 文章 - means "phrase" or "text" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 区切って - conjugated form of the verb "wakatte", which means "to divide" or "to separate"
• ください - imperative form of the verb "kudasai," which means "please"

ふんだんに使われる食材は美味しいです。

Fundayni tsukawareru shokuzai wa oishii desu

The ingredients used in abundance are delicious.

The ingredients used in abundance are delicious.

• ふんだんに - adverb meaning "abundantly"
• 使われる - verb in the passive form meaning "to be used"
• 食材 - noun meaning "food ingredients"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

カードを使って支払いをしました。

Kādo o tsukatte shiharai o shimashita

I made the payment using a card.

I paid using the card.

• カード - "card" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• 使って - gerund form of the verb "to use"
• 支払い - "Payment" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• しました - past form of the verb "fazer"