JLPT N4 · Japanese kanji

使

使 — use

Reading
シ・つか.う・つか.い・\~つか.い・\~づか.い
Meaning
use; send on a mission; order; messenger; envoy; ambassador; cause
JLPT level
N4
Language
Japanese

About this kanji

使 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N4 level. Its primary reading is シ・つか.う・つか.い・\~つか.い・\~づか.い and it means use; send on a mission; order; messenger; envoy; ambassador; cause. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.

使 appears in everyday japanese words such as 使命 (mission), 使用 (use) and 大使 (ambassador).

Japanese words containing 使

Frequently asked questions

What does 使 mean in Japanese?

使 means use; send on a mission; order; messenger; envoy; ambassador; cause in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N4 kanji every learner meets at that level.

How is 使 read?

使 is read シ・つか.う・つか.い・\~つか.い・\~づか.い. Reading it inside real words — 使命 and 使用 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.

What level is 使 — is it JLPT N4?

Yes. 使 is on the official JLPT N4 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.

How do you use 使 in a word?

A common word containing 使 is 使命 (しめい) — "mission". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.

How do I learn 使 effectively?

Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 使 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.

More JLPT N4 kanji

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