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:

映写機を使って映画を見ました。

Eishaki ki wo tsukatte eiga wo mimashita

I watched a movie using a projector.

I watched a movie using a projector.

• 映写機 - projetor
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 映画 - movie
• を - direct object particle
• 見ました - assisti

私は毎日コンピューターを使います。

Watashi wa mainichi konpyuutaa o tsukaimasu

I use the computer every day.

I use a computer every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• コンピューター (konpyuutaa) - noun that means "computer"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 使います (tsukaimasu) - verb that means "to use"

私は毎日ノートを使って勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi nōto o tsukatte benkyō shimasu

I use a notebook every day to study.

I study every day using a notebook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• ノート (nooto) - noun that means "notebook"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "notebook"
• 使って (tsukatte) - verb meaning "to use" in the gerund
• 勉強します (benkyou shimasu) - verb that means "to study" in the present

私の手帳は毎日使います。

Watashi no techou wa mainichi tsukaimasu

I use my notebook daily.

I use my notebook every day.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 手帳 - noun that means "agenda" or "notebook" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" or "regarding" in Portuguese
• 毎日 - adverb that means "every day" in Japanese
• 使います - The verb that means "to use" in Japanese, conjugated in the present affirmative is "使います" (tsukaimasu).

私たちは暖まるために火を使いました。

Watashitachi wa atatamaru tame ni hi o tsukaimashita

We use fire to warm ourselves.

We use fire to warm up.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 暖まる - "to warm up"
• ために - particle that indicates "to"
• 火 - noun "fire"
• を - Direct object particle
• 使いました - verb "to use" conjugated in the past tense

私鉄は都市部でよく使われる交通手段です。

Shitetsu wa toshibu de yoku tsukawareru kotsu shudan desu

As ferrovias privadas são o transporte comumente usado em áreas urbanas.

• 私鉄 - ferrovias privadas
• は - Topic particle
• 都市部 - áreas urbanas
• で - Location particle
• よく - frequentemente
• 使われる - to be used
• 交通手段 - means of transport
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

衛星は宇宙から地球を観測するために使われます。

Eisei wa uchuu kara chikyuu wo kansoku suru tame ni tsukawaremasu

Sateles are used to observe the land of space.

• 衛星 (eisei) - satellite
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 宇宙 (uchuu) - space
• から (kara) - of
• 地球 (chikyuu) - Earth
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 観測する (kansoku suru) - observe
• ために (tame ni) - for
• 使われます (tsukawaremashita) - é usado

計器を使って測定してください。

Keiki wo tsukatte sokutei shite kudasai

Use the meter to take the measurement.

Measure using an instrument.

• 計器 (keiki) - measuring instrument
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• 測定 (sokutei) - medição
• して (shite) - fazendo
• ください (kudasai) - Please

辞書を使って新しい言葉を学びましょう。

Jisho wo tsukatte atarashii kotoba wo manabimashou

Let's learn new words using a dictionary.

Learn new words using a dictionary.

• 辞書 - dictionary
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 新しい - new
• 言葉 - word
• を - direct object particle
• 学びましょう - let's learn

辞典を使って新しい言葉を学びましょう。

Jisho wo tsukatte atarashii kotoba wo manabimashou

Let's learn new words using a dictionary.

Learn new words using the dictionary.

• 辞典 - dictionary
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 新しい - new
• 言葉 - word
• を - direct object particle
• 学びましょう - let's learn