字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

utilize, business, service, use, employ

On’yomi ヨウ
Kun’yomi もち.いる
Nanori たから

Origin

This character appears to be a pictograph of a container or vessel, most likely a bell or ritual bronze vessel from ancient China. The simple rectangular frame with internal divisions represents the shape of such objects. Because these vessels were essential tools used for important purposes and ceremonies, the character came to mean "use" or "utilize" more broadly. Over time, the specific vessel meaning faded away, leaving only the general sense of putting something to practical purpose.

用 5 strokes

Components

This character is treated as a single, undivided shape (用).

Common words

  • 愛用 あいよう favorite; favourite
  • 悪用 あくよう abuse; misuse
  • 引用 いんよう quotation; citation
  • 運用 うんよう making use of; application
  • 応用 おうよう (practical) application; putting to practical use
  • 活用 かつよう practical use; application
  • 器用 きよう skillful; skilful
  • 起用 きよう appointment (to a position, job, etc.); being used for a role

Reference

Strokes
5
Kangxi radical
101
Formation type
Pictographic or simple
Grade
Grade 2 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#107 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 3
Unicode
U+07528