How to say "use" in Japanese

• 使うつかうJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe everyday verb for the act of using something — a tool, a machine, a method — handling it or putting it to work; the default choice in ordinary sentences.
  「あなたの辞書じしょを使つかってもいいですか」「はい、どうぞ」↗

  "Can I use your dictionary?" "Yes, here you are."
• 使用しようJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe noun counterpart of 使う, typical of writing, signs, rules and official documents; it names the use of a thing rather than describing the act, as in instructions about equipment or facilities.
  使用しようする前まえに瓶びんを振ふってください。↗

  Shake the bottle before using.
• 利用りようJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbUse or utilization with an eye to benefit: making use of a service, facility, resource or opportunity for one's own purposes, rather than simply handling an object.
  休暇きゅうかをできるだけ上手うまく利用りようしなさい。↗

  Make the most of your vacation.
• 採用さいようJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbNot the everyday word for using something: it means adopting or accepting a method, plan or proposal — bringing it into use — and is a poor choice for the mere act of handling a tool.
  ６世紀せいきにアングロ・サクソン族ぞくはローマ文字もじを採用さいようした。↗

  In the 6th century, the Anglo-Saxons adopted Roman characters.
• 用いるもちいるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for employing or utilizing something — especially methods, means or techniques — that overlaps 使う but is at home in written and formal prose rather than casual conversation.
  この語ごは今いまでは用もちいられない。↗

  That word has fallen out of use.

Use 「使う」 for the everyday act of using something, 使用 as its written noun counterpart, 利用 for making use of services or resources, 「用いる」 as the written verb for methods, and 採用 only for adopting a method or idea.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 使うつかうto use (a tool, method, etc.)
• 使用しようuse
• 利用りようuse
• 採用さいようuse
• 用いるもちいるto use
• 用途ようとuse
• 行使こうしuse
• 取り扱うとりあつかうto handle
• 益えきbenefit
• 用法ようほうway of using (something)
• 効用こうようuse
• 通るとおるto go by
• 甲斐かいresult (that makes an act worthwhile)
• 利かすきかすto bring out (the effect of)
• 使い方つかいかたway of using (something)
• 利かせるきかせるto bring out (the effect of)
• ユースuse
• さばきhandling (e.g. knife, reins)
• 使い料つかいりょうuse
• 使いどころつかいどころuse
• 用うるもちうるto use
• 弄するろうするto play with
• 需用じゅようconsumption
• 使用権しようけんright to use
• 使用方法しようほうほうhow to use (something)
• 甲斐がいresult (that makes an act worthwhile)
• 通用つうよう(common) use (of a language, currency, etc.)
• 用ようuse
• つくto tell (a lie)
• 運転うんてんuse (of capital, funds, etc.)
• 運ぶはこぶto use (a brush, chopsticks, etc.)
• はじくto use (an abacus)
• 突くつくto use (a cane)
• 扱いあつかいhandling (of a machine, tool, etc.)
• 焚くたくto use (a camera flash)
• 所用しょようuse
• 働かせるはたらかせるto use
• 役するえきするto use
• 手をつけるてをつけるto embezzle
• 詮せんeffect
• かけるto spend (time, money)
• 借りるかりるto use (for another purpose)
• 使いつかいuse
• 回すまわすto turn (to a new use)