効用|こうようkouyou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounuse; utility; effect; benefit

• Synonym使い道つかいみちNeutralNative word for what a thing or money is used for; 「効用」 focuses on the effects and benefits that come from using it.
• Synonym用途ようとWrittenWritten-style word for what a thing or money is used for, as in 「多用途」; 「効用」 stresses the effects and benefits instead.
• Synonym効こうWrittenWritten single-character word, rarely used alone; mostly in 「効を奏する」 (to take effect). 「効用」 can stand on its own.
• Synonym実利じつりWrittenWritten-style word for actual, material gain, set against fame and the like; 「効用」 is about effects and usefulness.
• Synonym益えきNeutral「益々」 (ますます) is an adverb meaning 'more and more', not a synonym of 「効用」; the word for benefit is 「益」 read えき.
• Related役割やくわりNeutralThe role or part something plays — people, things, organs alike, as in 「水の役割」; 「効用」 stresses the benefit gained.
• Related機能きのうNeutralThe functions and workings a thing or organ has in itself; 「効用」 is about the benefit this brings to people.
• Related目的もくてきNeutralThe goal you aim to achieve, the starting point of an action; 「効用」 is the effect something produces, so the two are not interchangeable.
• Related狙いねらいNeutralThe target you aim at or the intent behind an action; common in news too. Unlike 「効用」, it is not about effects or benefits.
• Related趣旨しゅしWrittenWritten-style word for the gist or intent of a statement or activity; has nothing to do with the actual effects 「効用」 covers.
• Related働きはたらきNeutralThe action or function something performs, as in 「薬の働き」; also covers a person's work or performance. More colloquial than 「効用」.
• Related役目やくめNeutralThe duty or role a person or thing bears; more colloquial than 「役割」. 「効用」 stresses the benefit something brings.
• Related効能こうのうWrittenWritten-style word for the efficacy of medicines, hot springs and the like, as in 「効能書き」; 「効用」 also covers uses and economic utility.
• Related本旨ほんしWrittenWritten-style word for one's original purpose or true intent; unrelated to the effects 「効用」 describes.
• Related使いどころつかいどころCasualColloquial word for the situation or moment where something is most useful; 「効用」 is about the effect itself, not the timing.
• RelatedファンクションCasualLoanword mostly for computer functions or function keys; rare in everyday speech — say 「機能」 instead.
• Antonym弊害へいがいWrittenWritten-style word for the harmful effects or drawbacks something causes — the opposite of the benefits 「効用」 brings.

Use 「効用」 for the effects and benefits something brings. For the efficacy of medicines or hot springs, say 「効能」; for what a thing or money is used for, 「用途」 or 「使い道」; for the functions something has in itself, 「機能」 or 「働き」. Words like 「目的」, 「狙い」, 「趣旨」 and 「本旨」 are about aims or intent, not effects, and 「弊害」 is the opposite — harm done. 「益々」 is an adverb, not a synonym.

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

1. 用途ようと、効果こうか。
2. 人ひとが財ざいを消費しょうひすることから得えられる満足まんぞくの水準すいじゅん。