使う（つかう）
JLPT N5 · Godan verb (Group 1)
Pitch accent: heiban (flat) — starts low, stays high, no drop
Meaning: to use
Conjugation
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| masu-form (polite) | 使います | つかいます |
| te-form | 使って | つかって |
| ta-form (past) | 使った | つかった |
| nai-form (negative) | 使わない | つかわない |
| potential form | 使える | つかえる |
See the full conjugation table for "使う" →
Example sentences
- 日本ではおはしを使って食べる。 — In Japan, people eat using chopsticks.
- このアプリを毎日使っている。 — I use this app every day.
Idioms & proverbs containing “使う”
- あごで使う (あごでつかう) — to set someone to work in an arrogant fashion; to push someone around
- 頤で人を使う (あごでひとをつかう) — to set someone to work in an arrogant fashion; to push someone around
- 奥の手を使う (おくのてをつかう) — to play one's trump card
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “使う” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)