利用|りようriyou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbuse; utilization; utilisation; application
    Make the most of your vacation.
Conjugation
Dictionary form利用する(りようする)
Polite (masu)利用します(りようします)
Negative (nai)利用しない(りようしない)
polite (masen)利用しません(りようしません)
classical zu / nu利用せず・利用せぬ(りようせず・りようせぬ)
Past (ta)利用した(りようした)
polite (mashita)利用しました(りようしました)
Past negative (nakatta)利用しなかった(りようしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)利用しませんでした(りようしませんでした)
Te form利用して(りようして)
Potential利用できる(りようできる)
Passive利用される(りようされる)
Causative利用させる(りようさせる)
Causative passive利用させられる(りようさせられる)
Conditional (ba)利用すれば(りようすれば)
tara利用したら(りようしたら)
Volitional利用しよう(りようしよう)
polite (mashou)利用しましょう(りようしましょう)
Imperative利用しろ(りようしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym使用しようNeutralFor using objects and equipment; more objective than 「利用」, which stresses clever use for one's benefit. Seen in 「使用料」.
  • Synonym運用うんようWrittenWritten/formal word for putting functions, funds or systems to work, as in 「資金を運用する」; stresses management and operation rather than mere use.
  • Synonym活用かつようNeutralMaking full, effective use of something's abilities, as in 「経験を活用する」; carries a positive nuance of getting the most out of it.
  • Synonym使うつかうCasualThe everyday verb for using things; colloquially the most common of this group, with the broadest range of objects.
  • Synonym用いるもちいるWrittenWritten/formal verb for adopting or using something, as in 「新しい方法を用いる」.
  • Synonym役立てるやくだてるNeutralTo put something to work so that it proves useful, as in 「知識を役立てる」; the point is making it serve a purpose.
  • Synonym行使こうしWrittenWritten/formal word for exercising rights, authority or power, as in 「武力行使」; used only with such objects.
  • Synonym利かすきかすCasualColloquial verb for bringing out an effect or showing quick wits, as in 「気を利かす」.
  • Related応用おうようWrittenWritten/formal word for applying theory or knowledge to real situations, as in 「応用問題」.
  • Related適用てきようWrittenWritten/formal word for applying a rule or provision to a concrete case, as in 「保険が適用される」.
  • Related当てはめるあてはめるNeutralTo apply or fit something to a case so that it matches, as in 「公式に当てはめる」.
  • Related充てるあてるWrittenWritten/formal word for allocating funds or time to a purpose, as in 「費用に充てる」; about assignment rather than use.
  • Related利するりするWrittenWritten/formal word for making something advantageous or turning it to account, as in 「地の利を利する」.
  • Antonym放棄ほうきWrittenAntonym: written/formal word for giving something up and leaving it unused, as in 「権利を放棄する」.
  • Antonym放置ほうちNeutralAntonym: leaving something unattended and doing nothing with it, as in 「放置自転車」.

Default to 「利用」 when something is used to your advantage. For plain use of objects choose 「使用」 or the everyday verb 「使う」; 「活用」 stresses making full use, 「応用」 applying theory to practice, 「適用」 applying rules to cases, and 「運用」 managing funds. 「放棄」 is the opposite of using: giving it up.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 利益りえきになるように上手うまく用もちいること。便利べんりな用もちい方かた。
  2. 便利べんりなものとして使用しようすること。
  3. 自分じぶんが得とくするための方便ほうべんとして使つかうこと。だしに使つかうこと。つけこむこと。乗じょうじること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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