用途

• Pinyin: yòng tú
• Hanzi breakdown: 用 = pictograph of a bucket, to use/apply; 途 = 辶 (walk) + 余 (phonetic), road/path/purpose

Meaning

Use; purpose; application. What something is used for or the range of uses it has.

Often used in phrases like 用途广泛 (wide range of uses) or 多种用途 (multiple uses). More formal than 用法, which focuses on how to use something, whereas 用途 focuses on what it is used for.

Examples

1. 这种植物的药用价值很高，用途十分广泛。 This plant has high medicinal value and an extremely wide range of uses.
2. 他没想到这个小工具的用途竟然如此多样。 He had no idea that this little tool had so many diverse uses.
3. 这块土地的用途还没有确定，市政府正在讨论中。 The purpose of this land has not yet been decided; the city government is still discussing it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, professional, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这种材料的用途非常广泛。(This material has a very wide range of uses.)
• 你知道这个工具有什么用途吗？(Do you know what this tool is used for?)

Don't Say

• 将'用途'和'用法'完全互换 (Don't treat 用途 and 用法 as identical — 用途 means the purpose or application of something, while 用法 refers to how to use it correctly)

Origin & History

A compound of 用 (to use; pictograph of a vessel) and 途 (way/path; 辶 walk + 余 phonetic). Together they mean the purpose or path of use.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal