Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
实用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
实用
shíyòng
practical
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #12697, Hard
实用
shíyòng
functional
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #12697, Hard
实用
shíyòng
pragmatic
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #12697, Hard
实用
shíyòng
applied (science)
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, rank #12697, Hard
shíyòng(shi2yong4)shi yong T2
1practical
2functional
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
实用(實用)shíyòng(shi2yong4)
实用 (shí yòng) refers to something that is practical or functional, often emphasizing usefulness in real-world applications. This term is commonly used in contexts involving tools, methods, or knowledge that serve a specific purpose, particularly in contrast to theoretical or abstract ideas.
Strokes13Frequency#12697DifficultyHard
Cultural note
The concept of 实用 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, where practicality often takes precedence over theory. In education and work, there's a strong emphasis on skills that can be directly applied to improve efficiency and solve real problems.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'shy' (shi) 'young' (yong) person who is always looking for practical solutions to problems. The character 实 (shí) resembles a person standing firmly on the ground, indicating practicality, while 用 (yòng) looks like two hands using tools, reinforcing the idea of functional application.
Meanings of 实用
shíyòng(shi2yong4)
1practical
2functional
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 实用 means.
About 实用
实用Simplified
實用Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#12697Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 实用
Podcast: 实用
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 实用
Quick Contrast
实用 (shíyòng) vs 适用 (shìyòng) — use 实用 when emphasizing practicality and functionality, while 适用 focuses on suitability or applicability in a specific context.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 实用 with similar terms like 实际 (shí jì), which means 'actual' or 'realistic.' It's used in both formal and informal contexts but is especially common in discussions about technology or education. Pay attention to the tones: a mispronunciation can change the word's meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 实用 connects well with other vocabulary related to practicality and daily life, such as 方便 (fāng biàn, convenient) and 有用 (yǒu yòng, useful). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe tools, methods, or learning approaches that have direct applications.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 实用 to describe abstract concepts, such as emotions or ideas. For example, saying '这本书很实用' (zhè běn shū hěn shí yòng) about a philosophical text would be incorrect; it would be better to say '这本书很有用' (zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yòng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 实用
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 实用, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 实用 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 实用?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 实用 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
实用 (shí yòng) refers to something that is practical or functional, often emphasizing usefulness in real-world applications. This term is commonly used in contexts involving tools, methods, or knowledge that serve a specific purpose, particularly in contrast to theoretical or abstract ideas.
When to use 实用
Learners often confuse 实用 with similar terms like 实际 (shí jì), which means 'actual' or 'realistic.' It's used in both formal and informal contexts but is especially common in discussions about technology or education. Pay attention to the tones: a mispronunciation can change the word's meaning.
实用 or something close to it
实用 (shíyòng) vs 适用 (shìyòng) — use 实用 when emphasizing practicality and functionality, while 适用 focuses on suitability or applicability in a specific context.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using 实用 to describe abstract concepts, such as emotions or ideas. For example, saying '这本书很实用' (zhè běn shū hěn shí yòng) about a philosophical text would be incorrect; it would be better to say '这本书很有用' (zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yòng).
Write 实用
实
用
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 实用 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 实用
实用 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
