使う vs 用いる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 使う
Listen to 用いる
| 使う | 用いる |
|---|---|
tsu-KA-u verb (u-verb, transitive) | もちいる verb (u-verb, transitive) |
| to use; to make use of | to employ; to make use of (often for methods, concepts, or authority) |
How they differ
用いる is generally more formal and written than 使う and is commonly used for abstract things (methods, expressions, authority) or when emphasizing the deliberate selection or adoption of something, rather than simple physical use.
When to use each
When to use 使う: Prefer 使う in everyday conversation for ordinary, physical, or simple acts of using things.
When to use 用いる: Prefer 用いる in formal writing or when referring to adopting a method, expression, or authority, or when you want to sound more formal or deliberate.
Side-by-side examples
- このハサミを使ってください。
(Please use these scissors.) - データ解析にはこの手法を用いることが多い。
(This method is often employed for data analysis.)
Register & nuance: 用いる is more formal/written and slightly literary; 使う is neutral and common in spoken Japanese.