使う・遣う|つかうtsukau[0]heiban (flat)

1. godan verb, transitive verbto use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use
   「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."
2. godan verb, transitive verbto use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to handle; to manage; to manipulate
   アジア諸国しょこくなどから出稼でかせぎにきた外国人がいこくじんをメイドとして使つかうのが常識じょうしきのようになっている。↗

   It has become common practise to employ foreigners working abroad from Asian countries as maids.
3. godan verb, transitive verbto use (time, money, etc.); to spend; to consume
   お湯ゆを全部ぜんぶ使つかわないで。↗

   Don't use all the hot water.
4. godan verb, transitive verbto use (language); to speak

• Synonym使用しようNeutralSino-Japanese noun for using equipment and facilities; common in manuals and rules, as in 「使用禁止」. More formal than 「使う」.
• Synonym利用りようNeutralUsing something cleverly for one's own benefit, as in 「バスを利用する」; can also mean exploiting people. 「使う」 is broader.
• Synonym用いるもちいるWrittenWritten/formal prose for using methods, means, or materials, as in 「新しい手法を用いる」; also to appoint a person to a post.
• Synonym行使こうしWrittenRestricted to exercising rights, powers, or force, as in 「権利を行使する」; only a limited range of objects.
• Synonym活用かつようNeutralUsing something to its full effect, as in 「資源を活用する」; stresses putting things to good use. Also means grammatical conjugation.
• Synonym利かすきかすNeutralBringing an effect or one's wits into play, as in 「気を利かす」 or 「塩を利かす」; stresses making something work.
• Related適用てきようWrittenApplying a rule, law, or method to a specific case, as in 「保険が適用される」; 「使う」 is general-purpose use.
• Related実践じっせんWrittenPutting theory or what one has learned into action; overlaps with 「使う」 only in the sense of applying one's learning.
• Related消費しょうひNeutralSpending or using something up so it decreases, as in 「電力を消費する」; focuses on consumption.
• Related運用うんようNeutralOperating funds, systems, or institutions so they function, as in 「資金を運用する」; objects tend to be abstract.
• Related支出ししゅつWrittenPaying out money for a specific purpose; used in finance and accounting, as in 「支出を減らす」. 「使う」 is broader.
• Related働かせるはたらかせるNeutralTo put someone to work, or to exercise one's head or imagination, as in 「頭を働かせる」.
• Related消耗しょうもうNeutralPhysical strength or goods being worn down and used up, as in 「体力を消耗する」; carries a nuance of depletion.
• Related役立てるやくだてるNeutralPutting something to a useful purpose, as in 「経験を役立てる」; stresses turning it to good account.
• Related働かすはたらかすNeutralSame meaning as 「働かせる」: making people work or getting functions going; slightly more casual.
• Related費消ひしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for spending money or goods entirely, also embezzling funds; found in legal and news writing. Normally say 「使い果たす」.
• Related当てはめるあてはめるNeutralFitting a rule or formula onto a specific case, as in 「公式に当てはめる」; stresses matching it against the case.
• Related充てるあてるNeutralAssigning money or time to a particular use, as in 「休日を勉強に充てる」; stresses allocation.
• Related利するりするWrittenMarkedly written: to benefit a party, as in 「敵を利する」, or to take advantage of conditions. In speech, the latter sense is just 「利用する」.
• Related役するえきするWrittenArchaic written word for putting people to forced labor; almost never used today.
• Antonym捨てるすてるNeutralAntonym of 「使う」: to throw away things you no longer need.
• Antonym控えるひかえるNeutralAntonym of 「使う」: to cut back and use less, as in 「塩分を控える」.
• Antonym貯めるためるNeutralAntonym of 「使う」 in its money sense: to save money up instead of spending it.

For everyday use, 「使う」 is the default. In formal documents use 「使用」; 「利用」 for using something to your own benefit; 「活用」 for making full use of something; 「行使」 for rights and powers; 「適用」 for rules; 「支出」 for spending money.

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

1. （道具どうぐなどを）ある目的もくてきのために役立やくだたせる。
2. 金かねや時間じかん、資源しげんなどを消費しょうひする。
3. 身体しんたい機能きのうや体力たいりょくなどを消費しょうひする。
4. 頭脳ずのうの働はたらきや配慮はいりょなどを役立やくだてる。
5. 技術ぎじゅつや方法ほうほうなどを利用りようする。
6. ある目的もくてきのために人ひとを働はたらかせる。雇用こようする。
7. 金銭きんせんを消費しょうひする、費ついやすこと。
8. 注意ちゅういを働はたらかせる。
9. 言葉ことばや文字もじを用もちいて、話はなしたり書かいたりする。
10. 贈おくる、与あたえる。
11. 自由自在じゆうじざいに動うごかす。あやつる。