[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Interpersonal-Relationships # 用 yòng to use; to employ ## Components [[用 (yòng)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "用" primarily means "to use" or "utilize." It represents the practical aspect of employing something for a specific purpose. It's commonly used in contexts related to functionality, application, or utilization in various fields. ## History In ancient times, the character "用" depicted a large bell or a wooden barrel, both practical objects. In oracle bone script, it resembled a bell with three legs at the bottom representing its base, two horizontal lines in the middle representing inscriptions and decorations, and a triangle at the top representing the bell's hanging loop. Originally an ideogram, "用" derived from "甬" and shared meanings with "镛" (a type of bell). Additionally, in oracle bone script, "用" resembled a round wooden barrel, which served the practical purpose of carrying or storing items, hence acquiring the meaning of "utility" or "usefulness." This sense of utility remains its primary meaning today. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[用 ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[用 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[用 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[用 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[Research/_/_Images/Imágenes de caracteres/用 reg.svg]]