Meaning and Usage
"利用" (りよう) means "use" or "utilization" and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It refers to the act of making use of something, whether it be a service, resource, or function.
Common Contexts
You will often see "利用" in contexts related to services, facilities, technology, and transportation. For example, "図書館の利用" (use of the library) or "公共交通機関の利用" (use of public transportation).
Collocations and Patterns
- "利用する": to use or utilize something.
- "利用可能": available for use.
- "利用者": user or consumer.
- "利用料金": usage fee.
These collocations are useful for discussing access, availability, and costs related to services or resources.
Register and Nuance
"利用" is neutral in politeness and can be used in both casual and formal speech. It is more formal than simpler verbs like "使う" but is very common in written and spoken Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "利用" with "使用" (しよう), which also means "use." "利用" often implies practical or beneficial use, while "使用" is more about the act of using something physically or directly. For example, "パソコンを使用する" (to use a computer) vs. "サービスを利用する" (to utilize a service).