JLPT N3 Vocabulary – The difference between “使用” and “利用”
Table of Contents
1. The difference between “使用” and “利用“
2. 使用
3. 利用
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments
Q: What’s the difference between “使用” and “利用“?
A: Both mean “to use something,” but they differ in what is being used and what the speaker is focusing on.
“使用” mainly refers to using an object, tool, or machine for a particular purpose.
In contrast, “利用” refers to making use of a facility, service, function, or opportunity to achieve a particular purpose.
Let’s take a closer look.
使用 (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
① Using an object, tool, machine, or other item for a particular purpose
② Using a material, substance, or other resource
[Common Expressions]
使用禁止・使用方法・使用中・ご使用・未使用・使用済み・使用期限
No use / Instructions for use / In use / Use / Unused / Used / Expiration date
[Examples]
会議のために、大きい部屋を使用したいです。
I would like to use a large room for the meeting.
プレゼンテーションの資料作成には、パワーポイントを使用しました。
I used PowerPoint to create the presentation materials.
電車内ではイヤホンを使用してください。
Please use earphones while on the train.
この機械の使用方法は少し複雑です。
The instructions for using this machine are a little complicated.
この商品には天然の材料が使用されています。
Natural ingredients are used in this product.
“使用” Refers to Actually Using an Object or Tool
“使用” refers to using an object, tool, machine, facility, material, or other item for a particular purpose.
This expression focuses on what is being used.
[Examples]
このシステムの使用するときは、会社の許可が必要です。
You need permission from the company to use this system.
試験中は携帯電話を使用しないでください。
Do not use your mobile phone during the exam.
この建物には環境に優しい材料が使用されています。
Environmentally friendly materials are used in this building.
“使用” is more formal than “使う” and is commonly used in instruction manuals, rules, notices, and business documents.
Therefore, even when it is grammatically correct, it may sound unnatural in everyday conversation
[Examples]× おはしを使用して、すしを食べます。
〇 おはしを使って、すしを食べます。
I use chopsticks to eat sushi.
“はしを使用する” is also grammatically correct.
However, “はしを使う” sounds more natural in everyday conversation.
利用 (JLPT N3)
[Meanings]
① Using a facility, means of transportation, service, or similar resource
② Making use of the functions or characteristics of an object, or taking advantage of a situation or opportunity
③ Using a person or thing for one’s own benefit
[Common Expressions]
利用方法・利用者・利用中・ご利用・利用料金・利用規約・利用可能
How to use / User / In use / Use / Usage fee / Terms of use / Available for use
[Examples]
図書館を利用すれば、さまざまな本を読むことができます。
You can read a wide variety of books if you use the library.
空港では無料Wi-Fiを利用できます。
You can use free Wi-Fi at the airport.
通勤時間を利用して英語を勉強しています。
I use my commuting time to study English.
風の力を利用して電気を作っています。
Wind power is used to generate electricity.
高齢者の不安を利用した詐欺が増えています。
Scams that exploit the anxieties of elderly people are increasing.
“利用” Means Making Use of a Function or Service
“利用” refers to making use of a facility, service, function, characteristic, period of time, opportunity, or similar resource for a particular purpose.
This expression focuses on what benefit or effect can be gained by using it.
① Using Facilities, Transportation, and Services
“利用” is often used when referring to public facilities, means of transportation, online services, and similar resources.
[Examples]
多くの人が市民プールを利用しています。
Many people use the municipal swimming pool.
毎日、電車を利用して会社へ行きます。
I take the train to work every day.
このサービスは無料で利用できます。
This service is available free of charge.
② Making Use of an Object’s Functions or Characteristics
“利用” is also used when making use of an object’s power, properties, characteristics, or other features.
[Examples]
太陽の光を利用して発電します。
Solar energy is used to generate electricity.
水の流れを利用して機械を動かします。
The flow of water is used to operate the machine.
鏡を利用して、部屋を広く見せています。
Mirrors are used to make the room look larger.
③ Making Use of Time, Opportunities, or Situations
“利用” can be used not only for visible objects but also for time, opportunities, situations, and similar resources.
[Examples]
昼休みを利用して、銀行へ行きました。
I used my lunch break to go to the bank.
旅行の機会を利用して、友達に会いました。
I took advantage of the trip to meet my friend.
待ち時間を利用して、メールを確認しました。
I used the waiting time to check my email.
In cases like these, “利用” cannot be replaced with “使用.”
× 昼休みを使用して、銀行へ行きました。
〇 昼休みを利用して、銀行へ行きました。
I used my lunch break to go to the bank.
④ Using Someone for One’s Own Benefit
「人を利用する」という表現には、否定的な意味があります。
The expression “人を利用する” has a negative meaning.
It means using someone for one’s own benefit or purpose without considering that person’s feelings or position.
[Examples]
彼は友達を利用して、自分だけ利益を得ようとしました。
He tried to use his friend for his own benefit.
人の親切を利用してはいけません。
You should not take advantage of other people’s kindness.
彼女は有名人との関係を利用して、仕事を得ました。
She used her connection with a celebrity to get the job.
“人を利用する” does not necessarily refer only to crimes or scams.
However, in many cases, it has a negative connotation because it suggests using another person for one’s own purposes.
Let’s Compare
Cases Where Both “使用” and “利用” Can Be Used
Depending on the object or facility, both “使用” and “利用” may be possible.
However, the point of focus is slightly different.
[Examples]
会議室を使用します。
We will use the meeting room.
会議室を利用します。
We will make use of the meeting room.
“会議室を使用する” focuses on actually using the meeting room as a facility.
“会議室を利用する” focuses on making use of the room or the service it provides for a particular purpose.
Here is another example.
[Examples]
このアプリを使用しています。
このアプリを利用しています。
I use this app.
Both are natural. However, “使用” emphasizes operating the app as a tool, while “利用” emphasizes making use of the functions and services provided by the app.
Examples That Cannot Be Freely Rephrased
When Using a Tool or Material
〇 この機械を使用します。
△ この機械を利用します。
I will use this machine.
“利用” can also be used when the focus is on making use of the machine’s functions.
However, when directly referring to operating or using the machine itself, “使用” is more natural.
When Using a Facility or Service
△ 図書館を使用します。
〇 図書館を利用します。
I use the library.
Because a library is used as a public facility and service, “利用” is normally used.
When Making Use of Time or an Opportunity
× 空き時間を使用して勉強します。
〇 空き時間を利用して勉強します。
I use my free time to study.
When Using Someone for One’s Own Benefit
× 彼は友達を使用しました。
〇 彼は友達を利用しました。
He used his friend for his own benefit.
Using “使用” for a person is highly unnatural and disrespectful because it makes the person sound like an object or tool.
Summary
[使用]
- Using an object, tool, machine, facility, or similar item for a particular purpose.
- It can also be used when referring to the use of materials or substances.
- It is more formal than “使う.”
- It is commonly used in instruction manuals, rules, notices, business documents, and similar contexts.
[利用]
- Using a facility, means of transportation, service, or similar resource.
- Making use of the functions or characteristics of an object.
- Making use of time, opportunities, situations, and similar resources for one’s own purpose.
- It can also have the negative meaning of using someone for one’s own benefit.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 使用
最近、レストランではタブレットを使用して注文しなければならない店が増えています。
More and more restaurants now require customers to use a tablet to place their orders.
*Here, “使用” is appropriate because the tablet is a tool that customers physically operate and use. However, “利用” can also be used when the focus is on using the ordering service provided through the tablet.
A. ご利用
ただいま、こちらのATMはご利用いただけません。
This ATM is currently unavailable.
*“ご利用” is generally used because an ATM is a facility that provides users with functions and services.
A. 使用
機械の使用方法をよく読んでから操作してください。
Please read the instructions carefully before operating the machine.
*“使用” is appropriate because this sentence refers to how the machine itself is used and operated. “使用方法” is a common expression found in instruction manuals for machines and tools.
A. 利用
最近は、図書館の利用者が減ってきているようです。
It seems that the number of library users has been decreasing recently.
*“利用” is appropriate because a library is used as a facility and service. “利用者” is also the standard term for a person who uses a facility or service.
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