有用

• Pinyin: yǒu yòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 有 = 又 (hand) + 月 (meat) — to have, to possess; 用 = pictograph of a bucket — to use

Meaning

Useful; to be of use. Describes something that has practical value or serves a purpose.

Used as both an adjective and a verb phrase meaning 'to have use.' It can modify nouns directly or serve as a predicate. The opposite is 没用 (useless). Commonly appears in daily conversation and writing at all levels.

Examples

1. 这本书很有用。 This book is very useful.
2. 学中文很有用。 Learning Chinese is very useful.
3. 这个东西对我很有用。 This thing is very useful to me.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, study

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个方法很有用。(This method is very useful.)
• 老师说的话很有用。(What the teacher said is very useful.)

Don't Say

• 这个有用书。(Wrong word order — say 这本有用的书 or 这本书很有用, not 有用书 without 的)

Origin & History

Composed of 有 (to have) + 用 (use). A transparent compound meaning 'to have use,' i.e. useful.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal