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借用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
借用jièyòngto borrow sth for another useHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6504, Very Hard
借用jièyòngto borrow an idea for one's own useHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6504, Very Hard
jièyòng(jie4yong4)jie yong T4
  1. 1to borrow sth for another use
  2. 2to borrow an idea for one's own use
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March 24, 2026

借用jièyòng(jie4yong4)

借用 (jiè yòng) means to borrow something for temporary use. It is commonly used in both physical contexts, such as borrowing a book, and abstract contexts, such as borrowing an idea or concept from someone else's work.

Strokes15Frequency#6504DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of borrowing extends beyond physical items to ideas and concepts, reflecting a collaborative approach to knowledge and resource sharing. It's common in academic settings to borrow ideas from previous works.

Memory tip

Imagine a friendly giant reaching down to borrow a book from a smaller person. The character 借 (jiè) looks like a person lending a hand, while 用 (yòng) resembles a tool being used. Together, they represent the action of borrowing something to use.

Meanings of 借用

jièyòng(jie4yong4)
1to borrow sth for another use
2to borrow an idea for one's own use
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About 借用

借用Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 借用

Quick Contrast

借 (jiè) vs 借来 (jiè lái) — use 借用 when emphasizing the temporary nature of the borrowing, while 借来 simply indicates the act of borrowing without that nuance.

Usage Notes

Borrowing can imply a temporary arrangement, so it's important to clarify the terms of return. This term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations. Watch out for tone mistakes, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 借用 is not an HSK word, it connects well with HSK Level 3 vocabulary related to everyday activities and interactions. Focus on using it in sentences about borrowing items or ideas, and practice the tones to ensure clarity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 借用 with 借 (jiè), which simply means 'to borrow' without the nuance of usage. For example, saying '我借用这个' (I borrow this) is incorrect; instead, use '我借这个' (I borrow this).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 借用

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Component characters

借jièto lend
HSK 310 strokes亻
View full entry
用yòngto use
HSK 35 strokes用
View full entry

How to say to borrow sth for another use in Chinese

“to borrow sth for another use” in Chinese is借用jièyòng

借用 (jiè yòng) means to borrow something for temporary use. It is commonly used in both physical contexts, such as borrowing a book, and abstract contexts, such as borrowing an idea or concept from someone else's work.

When to use 借用

Borrowing can imply a temporary arrangement, so it's important to clarify the terms of return. This term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations. Watch out for tone mistakes, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

借用 or something close to it

借 (jiè) vs 借来 (jiè lái) — use 借用 when emphasizing the temporary nature of the borrowing, while 借来 simply indicates the act of borrowing without that nuance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 借用 with 借 (jiè), which simply means 'to borrow' without the nuance of usage. For example, saying '我借用这个' (I borrow this) is incorrect; instead, use '我借这个' (I borrow this).

Write 借用

借
用

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Frequently asked questions about 借用

No, 借用 typically refers to borrowing items or ideas, not money. For money, use 借款 (jiè kuǎn).

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