字 字源HanziOrigin
中文EnglishFrançaisEspañolالعربيةРусский
用
yòng
use, apply
At a glance · 用

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

用 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 用 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 用 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 用 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 用 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 用 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文象桶（或骨卜之钻）之形，象形，本指可施用之物。隶楷作「用」。

What the sketch shows

用 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「用」本指施用、功用，引申为使用、需要。

Structure

象形字，象桶形（或谓可施用之器）。

At a glance

Pinyinyòng
Radical用
Strokes5
UnicodeU+7528
Character type象形
Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English use, apply To use, apply; function, usefulness.
Français utiliser, usage Utiliser, appliquer; fonction, utilité.
Español usar, función Usar, aplicar; función, utilidad.
العربية يستعمل، يفيد يستعمل أو ينتفع.
Русский использовать, применять Использовать, применять; функция, польза.

Common words

  • 使用shǐ yònguse
  • 用心yòng xīnattentive

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