yǒuyòng: 有用 - Useful, Helpful

• Keywords: yǒuyòng, 有用, useful in Chinese, helpful in Chinese, practical Chinese, Chinese for useful, what does youyong mean, HSK 2 vocabulary, how to say useful in Mandarin, méiyòng, 没用
• Summary: Learn how to say “useful” in Chinese with the essential word 有用 (yǒuyòng). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage. Discover how the characters 有 (to have) and 用 (to use) combine to form this fundamental adjective, and understand its important antonym, 没用 (méiyòng - useless). Perfect for beginners, this page includes over 10 example sentences and analysis to help you master how to describe things, skills, and advice as helpful and practical in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǒuyòng
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To be useful, helpful, effective, or of use.
• In a Nutshell: `有用` is the most common and direct way to say that something has a purpose, function, or provides a benefit. It's a straightforward word that focuses on utility and practicality. If something works, helps you achieve a goal, or has a clear function, it is `有用`.

• 有 (yǒu): This character means “to have,” “to possess,” or “there is/are.” It signifies existence or possession.
• 用 (yòng): This character means “to use,” or as a noun, “use/utility.” It's all about application and function.

When combined, `有用` (yǒuyòng) literally translates to “to have use.” This logical construction makes it one of the easier Chinese words for beginners to remember. It directly expresses the concept of possessing utility.

While `有用` is a simple vocabulary word, it taps into a deep-seated cultural value of pragmatism (实用主义, shíyòng zhǔyì) in Chinese society. There is often a strong emphasis on practicality and tangible outcomes. An education, a skill, or even an item is frequently judged by its “usefulness.” For example, a common question parents might ask their children is, “学这个有什么用?” (xué zhège yǒu shénme yòng?) — “What's the use of studying this?” This reflects a mindset where the value of an activity is often measured by its practical application, such as leading to a good job or a tangible skill. This can be contrasted with some Western cultural perspectives where learning for its own sake, for “personal enrichment,” or for abstract artistic expression is more commonly accepted without needing immediate justification of its “use.” For a learner, understanding this pragmatic lens helps explain why being `有用` is such a high compliment for a tool, a piece of advice, or a method in a Chinese context.

`有用` is an extremely common, everyday word used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal reports.

• Describing Objects: It's used for tools, apps, books, and any physical item. (e.g., “This dictionary is very useful.”)
• Describing Information: It's perfect for advice, suggestions, knowledge, and data. (e.g., “His advice was very useful.”)
• Describing Skills: A skill or qualification can be described as `有用`. (e.g., “Learning to code is very useful.”)
• Positive Connotation: `有用` is almost always positive. The degree of usefulness can be emphasized with adverbs like `很 (hěn)` - very, `非常 (fēicháng)` - extremely, or `真 (zhēn)` - really.
• Negative Form: The antonym is `没用` (méiyòng), literally “to not have use.” It is a very strong and direct word for “useless.” While calling an object `没用` is a simple statement of fact, calling a person `没用` is a serious insult meaning “good-for-nothing.”

• Example 1:
  • 这本词典对学中文很有用。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn cídiǎn duì xué Zhōngwén hěn yǒuyòng.
  • English: This dictionary is very useful for learning Chinese.
  • Analysis: A classic example of describing a tool. The structure `对…有用 (duì…yǒuyòng)` means “is useful for/to…”.
• Example 2:
  • 谢谢你，你的建议非常有用！
  • Pinyin: Xièxie nǐ, nǐ de jiànyì fēicháng yǒuyòng!
  • English: Thank you, your suggestion was extremely helpful!
  • Analysis: Here, `有用` describes intangible advice. `非常 (fēicháng)` is a common adverb used to strengthen the meaning.
• Example 3:
  • 你觉得这个软件有用吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhège ruǎnjiàn yǒuyòng ma?
  • English: Do you think this software is useful?
  • Analysis: A common question using the `…吗 (ma)` particle to ask about the utility of something.
• Example 4:
  • 学会开车这个技能很有用。
  • Pinyin: Xuéhuì kāichē zhège jìnéng hěn yǒuyòng.
  • English: The skill of learning to drive is very useful.
  • Analysis: This shows how `有用` can be applied to skills and abilities.
• Example 5:
  • 我觉得抱怨是没有用的，我们应该想办法解决问题。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde bàoyuàn shì méiyòng de, wǒmen yīnggāi xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.
  • English: I think complaining is useless, we should think of a way to solve the problem.
  • Analysis: This example uses the negative form `没用 (méiyòng)`. The `的 (de)` at the end is often added to turn the adjective into a noun phrase, “a useless thing.”
• Example 6:
  • 他告诉我的信息一点儿都没用。
  • Pinyin: Tā gàosù wǒ de xìnxī yīdiǎnr dōu méiyòng.
  • English: The information he told me was not useful at all.
  • Analysis: The structure `一点儿都…没 (yīdiǎnr dōu…méi)` is a powerful way to say “not at all.”
• Example 7:
  • 希望这些资料对你的研究是有用的。
  • Pinyin: Xīwàng zhèxiē zīliào duì nǐ de yánjiū shì yǒuyòng de.
  • English: I hope this information is useful for your research.
  • Analysis: A more formal and polite sentence, suitable for an academic or professional setting.
• Example 8:
  • 这台旧电脑已经没有用了，可以扔了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái jiù diànnǎo yǐjīng méiyòng le, kěyǐ rēng le.
  • English: This old computer is useless now, it can be thrown away.
  • Analysis: `没用` combined with `了 (le)` indicates a change of state—it *has become* useless.
• Example 9:
  • 在紧急情况下，急救知识特别有用。
  • Pinyin: Zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, jíjiù zhīshi tèbié yǒuyòng.
  • English: In an emergency, first-aid knowledge is especially useful.
  • Analysis: `特别 (tèbié)` means “especially” and is another great adverb to use with `有用`.
• Example 10:
  • 成为一个对社会有用的人是我的目标。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī ge duì shèhuì yǒuyòng de rén shì wǒ de mùbiāo.
  • English: My goal is to become a person who is useful to society.
  • Analysis: This is one of the few positive contexts where you can call a person `有用`. It frames them as a contributing member of society, not as a tool.

• `有用` (yǒuyòng) vs. `帮助` (bāngzhù):
  • `有用` means “useful” and describes the quality of a thing or information.
  • `帮助` (bāngzhù) means “help” (as a verb or noun) and usually refers to an action performed by a person.
  • While you can say “Your advice is very useful” (你的建议很有用), it's more natural to say “Thank you for your help” (谢谢你的帮助). Saying “Your advice is very helpful” is fine for both `有用` and `有帮助 (yǒu bāngzhù)`.
• Common Mistake: Calling people `有用`:
  • Be very careful when describing a person as `有用`. Saying `我的朋友很有用 (wǒ de péngyou hěn yǒuyòng)` can sound like you are using your friend as a tool for personal gain.
  • Incorrect: `我的朋友很有用，他会修电脑。` (My friend is very useful, he can fix computers.)
  • Correct: `我的朋友很乐于助人，他帮我修好了电脑。` (My friend is very helpful, he helped me fix my computer.)
  • The only common positive use for people is in the broader, societal sense, as shown in Example 10.
• The harshness of `没用` (méiyòng):
  • As mentioned, calling an object `没用` is fine. But directing it at a person is a strong insult. It questions their entire value and capability. Avoid using it to describe people unless you intend to be extremely offensive.

• 没用 (méiyòng) - The direct antonym of `有用`, meaning “useless” or “good-for-nothing.”
• 实用 (shíyòng) - A more specific synonym meaning “practical,” “functional,” or “pragmatic.” It emphasizes function over form.
• 有效 (yǒuxiào) - Means “effective” or “valid.” It focuses on producing a desired result (e.g., medicine is effective, a ticket is valid).
• 用处 (yòngchu) - The noun form, meaning “use” or “utility.” (e.g., `有什么用处?` - What's its use?).
• 好处 (hǎochu) - Means “benefit,” “advantage,” or “good point.” While a useful thing often has benefits, `好处` focuses on the positive outcome, not just the function.
• 帮助 (bāngzhù) - A noun or verb meaning “help” or “to help.” This is more about assistance, especially from a person.
• 利用 (lìyòng) - A verb meaning “to utilize” or “to make use of.” It can be neutral (utilize resources) or negative (exploit a person's kindness).
• 管用 (guǎnyòng) - A colloquial synonym for `有用` or `有效`, often used in Northern China. It means “it works” or “it's effective.”