实用

• Pinyin: shí yòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 实 = 宀 (roof) + 头 (head), simplified from 實; 用 = pictograph of a fence or container, meaning to use

Meaning

Practical; functional; useful in real life.

Describes something that has genuine usefulness or applicability in daily life or work, as opposed to being merely decorative or theoretical. Often used to evaluate products, skills, advice, and knowledge.

Examples

1. 这本书介绍了很多实用的生活技巧。 This book introduces many practical life tips.
2. 比起好看，我觉得实用更重要。 Compared to looking nice, I think being practical is more important.
3. 他送给我一个很实用的生日礼物。 He gave me a very practical birthday present.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, everyday, education

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

• 学一些实用的技能对找工作很有帮助。(Learning some practical skills is very helpful for job hunting.)
• 这个设计既好看又实用。(This design is both good-looking and practical.)

Don't Say

• 这个人很实用。(Don't use 实用 to describe people — use 务实 or 实际 to describe a practical-minded person.)

Origin & History

Compound of 实 (real, actual) and 用 (use), literally 'real use' — something of genuine practical value.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal