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What is the Kanji for 'Use'? | 使

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Use', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Use' is 使.

    kanji

    使

    Meaning

    Use

    Reading

    kunyomiつか

    tsuka

    onyomi

    shi

    Parts

    Person (人)Officer, Official

    Example Word

    使い: use or messenger. The Japanese noun '使い (つかい)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'use', referring to the act of utilizing something. For example: the use of this tool is easy「この道具の使いは簡単だ」(このどうぐのつかいはかんたんだ). The second meaning is 'messenger', referring to a person who delivers a message. For example: he sent a messenger「彼は使いを送った」(かれはつかいをおくった). The context in which '使い' is used will determine which meaning is intended. It's important to note that '使い' can also appear in compound words, such as '使い方 (つかいかた)' which means 'way of use' or 'how to use'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    271

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 使

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Person

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Officer, Official

Words Using 使

This kanji is used in 11 words:

    word

    使う

    Meaning

    Use

    word

    大使館

    Meaning

    Embassy

    word

    使用

    Meaning

    Use

    word

    使用人

    Meaning

    Employee

    word

    行使

    Meaning

    Exercise

    word

    大使

    Meaning

    Ambassador

    word

    使い

    Meaning

    Use, Messenger

    word

    使い道

    Meaning

    Use

    word

    使

    Meaning

    Use

    word

    使命

    Meaning

    Mission

    word

    使者

    Meaning

    Messenger

Kanji Related to 使 Through the Part

These 91 kanji contain the part 亻 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Body

    kanji

    Meaning

    Night

    kanji

    Meaning

    Make

    kanji

    Meaning

    What

    kanji

    Meaning

    Low

    kanji

    Meaning

    Live

    kanji

    Meaning

    Borrow, Rent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Double, Times

    kanji

    Meaning

    Serve

    kanji

    便

    Meaning

    Convenience

    kanji

    Meaning

    Work

    kanji

    宿

    Meaning

    Lodging

    kanji

    Meaning

    Attach

    kanji

    Meaning

    Transmit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Topple, Overthrow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hundred million

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accompany, Offer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Other

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Value, Price

    kanji

    Meaning

    Individual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Substitute, Era

    kanji

    Meaning

    Price

    kanji

    Meaning

    Change

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trust

    kanji

    Meaning

    Preserve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Equip, Provide

    kanji

    Meaning

    Person in charge, Connection

    kanji

    Meaning

    Duty, Responsibility

    kanji

    Meaning

    Matter, Affair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rank

    kanji

    Meaning

    Halt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Buddha

    kanji

    Meaning

    Principles, Ethics

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reliant, Depend on

    kanji

    Meaning

    Image, Statue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wound, Injury

    kanji

    Meaning

    Side

    kanji

    Meaning

    Example

    kanji

    Meaning

    Recompense, Reparation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ceremony

    kanji

    Meaning

    Resemble

    kanji

    Meaning

    Discipline

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stretch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Superior, Gentle

    kanji

    Meaning

    Relationship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Invade

    kanji

    Meaning

    Healthy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Temporary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hold an event, Sponsor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urge, Press

    kanji

    Meaning

    Debt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Great, Admirable

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vulgar, Popular

    kanji

    Meaning

    Look up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Couple, By chance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inquire, Pay respects

    kanji

    Meaning

    Actor, Haiku

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emulate, Copy after

    kanji

    Meaning

    I, Me

    kanji

    Meaning

    Colleague, Official

    kanji

    Meaning

    Biased

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warehouse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Assist, Help

    kanji

    Meaning

    Join, Put together

    kanji

    Meaning

    Falsify, Fake

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bonze, Buddhist priest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fell, Cut down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brilliant, Genius

    kanji

    Meaning

    Greatness, Outstanding person

    kanji

    Meaning

    Side, Nearby

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thrifty, Frugal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prostrated

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sack

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accompany, Companion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Salary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Despise

    kanji

    Meaning

    However, But

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hermit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chief, Older sibling of parent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Attend to, Samurai

    kanji

    Meaning

    Confucianism, Confucian

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fine, Excellent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Benevolent, Humanity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Marquis, Feudal lord

    kanji

    Meaning

    Deed

    kanji

    Meaning

    Proud

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follower, Companion

    kanji

    Meaning

    A wee bit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Me, I

Learn the Kanji 使

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 使 mean?

使 means 'Use'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.