use
Meaning: To employ for a purpose; the act of using something
'Use' as a verb means to employ something for a purpose ('use a pen to write') or consume ('use electricity'). As a noun, it refers to the act of using ('the use of technology') or purpose ('what is the use of complaining?'). 'Used to' describes past habits ('I used to live in London'), while 'be used to' means being accustomed to something.
Examples
- May I use your telephone? 我可以用一下你的电话吗?¿Puedo usar tu teléfono?お電話をお借りしてもよろしいですか?전화기를 써도 될까요?
- What use is a car if you cannot drive? 如果你不会开车,汽车有什么用?¿De qué sirve un coche si no puedes conducir?運転できないなら車の意味は?운전을 못 하면 차가 무슨 소용인가?
- This building is no longer in use. 这栋建筑已经不再使用了。Este edificio ya no está en uso.この建物はもう使われていない。이 건물은 더 이상 사용되지 않는다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old French 'user', from Latin 'ūsus', past participle of 'ūtī' meaning 'to employ' or 'to make use of'. The noun and verb were pronounced differently in Middle English — a distinction preserved today (noun /juːs/, verb /juːz/).
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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