用 — “to use / task” in Japanese

Grade 2よう, もち

Radical ⽤ · radical 101 The building block this kanji is filed under

“to use / task” in Japanese is 用, read you, mochi (よう, もち). It is a Grade 2 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 2 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 使用 (use/usage).

Try it now

What does 用 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	用
Meaning	to use / task
Readings	よう, もち
Grade	Grade 2 (Easy)
Curriculum	Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school
Example	使用 (use/usage)

How to read 用

用 is read you (よう) or mochi (もち) depending on the word.

Words with 用

応用おうよう
利用りよう
再利用さいりよう
使用
採用
雇用
汎用
濫用

Learn 用 in real sentences — free

Read stories and news built from only the kanji you already know. KanjiSchool’s path covers all 2,136 Jōyō kanji — 1,018 ready to learn now.

Start free — no credit card →

Kanji read the same way as 用

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Read this character in a real sentence

Updated: 2026-08-28