Chinese verb · action · first needed at elementary level (A2)
用
yòng
to use
+ tool + verb says how you do something: (yòng kuàizi chīfàn, eat with chopsticks). (bú yòng) also means “no need”: (bú yòng xiè, you're welcome).
Speed:
Basic
基本
What someone uses, usually or in general.
| affirmative | 我用手机付钱。Wǒ yòng shǒujī fù qián. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不用现金。Wǒ bú yòng xiànjīn. | |
| question | 你用微信吗？Nǐ yòng Wēixìn ma? |
Completed
了
(yòngle): used something.
| affirmative | 我用了你的笔。Wǒ yòngle nǐ de bǐ. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没用你的笔。Wǒ méi yòng nǐ de bǐ. | |
| question | 你用了我的笔吗？Nǐ yòngle wǒ de bǐ ma? |
Experience
过
(yòngguo): have used something before.
| affirmative | 我用过这个软件。Wǒ yòngguo zhège ruǎnjiàn. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没用过这个软件。Wǒ méi yòngguo zhège ruǎnjiàn. | |
| question | 你用过这个软件吗？Nǐ yòngguo zhège ruǎnjiàn ma? |
In progress
在
(zài yòng): using something right now.
| affirmative | 我在用电脑。Wǒ zài yòng diànnǎo. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在用电脑。Wǒ méi zài yòng diànnǎo. | |
| question | 你在用电脑吗？Nǐ zài yòng diànnǎo ma? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
Whether you can or may use something. (yòng yíxià) makes a request softer.
| affirmative | 你可以用我的手机。Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de shǒujī. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 这儿不能用信用卡。Zhèr bù néng yòng xìnyòngkǎ. | |
| question | 我可以用一下你的笔吗？Wǒ kěyǐ yòng yíxià nǐ de bǐ ma? |
Result
结果补语
(yòngwán): finished using, or used up. : more than you can use.
| affirmative | 我用完了。Wǒ yòngwán le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我还没用完。Wǒ hái méi yòngwán. | |
| question | 你用完了吗？Nǐ yòngwán le ma? | |
| can't | 这么多钱我用不完。Zhème duō qián wǒ yòng bu wán. |
Examples
- 中国人用筷子吃饭。Zhōngguórén yòng kuàizi chīfàn.Chinese people eat with chopsticks.
- 你会用筷子吗？Nǐ huì yòng kuàizi ma?Can you use chopsticks?
- 不用谢。Bú yòng xiè.You're welcome. (literally “no need to thank”)