How to say "utility" in Japanese

• 実用じつようJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'utility' as practical use—something being usable in real life rather than merely theoretical. Typical in discussions of practicality, as in whether a design or invention is actually put to practical use.
  そのような技術ぎじゅつは多おおくの実用じつようが可能かのうであろう。↗

  Such skills could be put to many practical uses.
• 万能ばんのうJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveHere 'utility' means all-purpose: a tool or item that serves many uses. Note that 万能 more commonly means 'almighty' or 'universal', so it fits only when versatility is the point, not utility as a benefit.
  もちろん万能ばんのうではないからといって価値かちがないわけではないから、ＧＴＤはダメということにはならない。↗

  Of course you can't say that it's worth nothing because it isn't perfect, so that doesn't mean that GTD is useless.
• 使い道つかいみちJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRenders 'utility' as the purpose or use of a thing—what something is used for, or whether it has any use at all. Often appears in questions about whether an object or plan has a real use.
  鉄てつは使い道つかいみちの多おおい金きんぞくだ。↗

  Iron is a metal with many uses.
• 実利じつりCommon
  nounCovers 'utility' in the sense of actual profit or material gain—tangible benefit rather than abstract value. Fits contexts about money or advantage; a poor choice for abstract usefulness or usefulness in general.
• 効用こうようCommon
  nounMeans 'utility' as useful effect or benefit—what good something does, including the economist's technical sense of utility. Suited to discussing the benefit or effect a thing produces rather than its purpose.

Choose 実用 for practical use, 効用 for beneficial effect, 実利 for material gain, 万能 for all-purpose capability, and 「使い道」 for the purpose something serves; context decides, as they overlap little.

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

• 実用じつようpractical use
• 万能ばんのうall-purpose
• 使い道つかいみちpurpose
• 実利じつりutility
• 効用こうようuse
• ユーティリティーutility
• 功利こうりutility
• 実用向きじつようむきpractical use
• 実用性じつようせいpracticality
• 益体やくたいusefulness
• 使い勝手つかいがってease of use
• サービスservice