qǐyòng: 启用 - To Enable, Activate, Put into Use

• Keywords: 启用, qǐyòng, enable in Chinese, activate in Chinese, start using in Chinese, Chinese for enable, what does qiyong mean, 启用 meaning, 启用 vs 使用, HSK 5 Chinese word
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 启用 (qǐyòng), the formal Chinese verb for “to enable,” “activate,” or “start using.” This comprehensive guide covers its technical and official contexts, from activating a new phone to putting a new policy into effect. Discover practical examples, character breakdowns, and common mistakes to help you master this essential HSK 5 word and distinguish it from similar terms like 使用 (shǐyòng).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qǐ yòng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To formally start using or put something into operation.
• In a Nutshell: 启用 (qǐyòng) is the formal, official way to say you're “turning something on” or “putting it into use” for the very first time. Think of it as a ribbon-cutting ceremony for an object, system, or policy. You don't just “use” a new airport terminal; you formally 启用 it. You don't just “use” a new software feature; you 启用 it. It signifies a deliberate transition from a state of non-use to active service.

• 启 (qǐ): This character means “to open,” “to start,” or “to initiate.” Pictorially, it often involves a hand (or a tool) opening a door (門). It carries the sense of beginning something new.
• 用 (yòng): This character simply means “to use” or “to employ.” Its ancient form can resemble a bucket or a tool, something with a clear purpose and utility.
• Combined Meaning: The characters combine quite literally to mean “to start using.” This direct combination creates a term that is more formal and impactful than simply saying “use.”

启用 (qǐyòng) reflects a certain level of formality and procedure common in Chinese business, government, and technology. It's not a word you use casually among friends. In Western culture, we might say “We're rolling out the new system” or “Let's start using the new software.” These phrases are relatively informal. The direct equivalent for 启用, however, is closer to more formal English terms like “to commission,” “to inaugurate,” or “to put into service.” For example, a mayor would “inaugurate” a new bridge, and an IT department would “enable” a new security feature. Using 启用 signals that the action is official, planned, and significant. It implies a shift from a preparatory or inactive state to an operational one. This distinction highlights a preference for clear, formal language in official contexts, marking a moment of transition and importance.

This term is most frequently encountered in formal, written, or technical contexts.

• Technology & Software: This is one of the most common uses today. It appears on websites, in apps, and in technical manuals. It refers to activating an account, enabling a function, or starting to use a new piece of hardware.
• Government & Policy: When a new law, regulation, or public policy takes effect, the media will report that it has been “启用”.
• Infrastructure & Public Works: A new airport, train station, highway, or bridge is formally “启用” on its opening day.
• Business Operations: A company might “启用” a new factory, a new logo, or a new management system.

It is highly formal. You would never use it for everyday, personal items. For instance, you would say “I'm using my new pen” (我用我的新笔), not “I'm enabling my new pen” (我启用我的新笔).

• Example 1:
  • 请在设置中启用此功能。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài shèzhì zhōng qǐyòng cǐ gōngnéng.
  • English: Please enable this function in the settings.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase seen in software applications and websites. It's a formal instruction.
• Example 2:
  • 这个新机场将于下个月正式启用。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn jīchǎng jiāng yú xià ge yuè zhèngshì qǐyòng.
  • English: This new airport will be officially put into use next month.
  • Analysis: “正式” (zhèngshì - officially) is often paired with 启用 to emphasize the formal, public nature of the event.
• Example 3:
  • 为了安全，我们启用了新的门禁系统。
  • Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, wǒmen qǐyòng le xīn de ménjìn xìtǒng.
  • English: For security purposes, we have activated the new access control system.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes putting a new system into operation for a specific, important reason (security).
• Example 4:
  • 您的新信用卡需要先启用才能使用。
  • Pinyin: Nín de xīn xìnyòngkǎ xūyào xiān qǐyòng cái néng shǐyòng.
  • English: Your new credit card needs to be activated before it can be used.
  • Analysis: This example perfectly shows the relationship between 启用 (the initial act of activation) and 使用 (the general act of using).
• Example 5:
  • 公司决定从明天起启用新的公司标志。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng cóng míngtiān qǐ qǐyòng xīn de gōngsī biāozhì.
  • English: The company has decided to start using the new company logo from tomorrow onwards.
  • Analysis: This refers to putting a new corporate asset into official use.
• Example 6:
  • 该应急预案在紧急情况下才会被启用。
  • Pinyin: Gāi yìngjí yù'àn zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià cái huì bèi qǐyòng.
  • English: This emergency plan will only be activated in an emergency situation.
  • Analysis: Here, 启用 is used in the passive voice (被启用 - bèi qǐyòng) to mean “be activated.”
• Example 7:
  • 我们什么时候可以启用这个软件的付费版本？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shénme shíhou kěyǐ qǐyòng zhège ruǎnjiàn de fùfèi bǎnběn?
  • English: When can we enable the paid version of this software?
  • Analysis: A practical question in a business or tech setting, asking about starting to use a premium service.
• Example 8:
  • 这条高铁线路已于上周启用。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo gāotiě xiànlù yǐ yú shàng zhōu qǐyòng.
  • English: This high-speed rail line was put into service last week.
  • Analysis: Used for major infrastructure projects, indicating the start of public service.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你忘记了密码，可以启用备用邮箱来重置。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ wàngjì le mìmǎ, kěyǐ qǐyòng bèiyòng yóuxiāng lái chóngzhì.
  • English: If you forget your password, you can use (enable) your backup email to reset it.
  • Analysis: In this context, it means to make use of a pre-set, but currently inactive, option.
• Example 10:
  • 新的环保法规已启用，所有工厂都必须遵守。
  • Pinyin: Xīn de huánbǎo fǎguī yǐ qǐyòng, suǒyǒu gōngchǎng dōu bìxū zūnshǒu.
  • English: The new environmental regulations have been put into effect, and all factories must comply.
  • Analysis: This shows 启用 used for laws and regulations taking effect.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 启用 (qǐyòng) with the general word for “use,” 使用 (shǐyòng).

• 启用 (qǐyòng): To start using; to activate; to enable. Refers to the first use or the transition from inactive to active. It's a one-time action for a given system or object.
• 使用 (shǐyòng): To use. Refers to the general, ongoing act of using something that is already active and in service.
• Incorrect Usage: 我每天都启用我的手机。 (Wǒ měitiān dōu qǐyòng wǒ de shǒujī.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are activating a brand-new phone from the factory every single day. The action of 启用 happens only once.
  • Correct: 我每天都使用我的手机。 (Wǒ měitiān dōu shǐyòng wǒ de shǒujī. - I use my phone every day.)
• Correct Usage: 我昨天刚买了一部新手机，需要先启用它。 (Wǒ zuótiān gāng mǎi le yí bù xīn shǒujī, xūyào xiān qǐyòng tā. - I just bought a new phone yesterday and need to activate it first.)

Another point of confusion is with 开始 (kāishǐ), which means “to start.”

• 开始 (kāishǐ): Begins an action or verb. (e.g., 开始吃饭 - start eating)
• 启用 (qǐyòng): Begins the *use of a noun* (an object, system, or policy).
• Incorrect: 我们启用会议吧。 (Wǒmen qǐyòng huìyì ba.)
• Correct: 我们开始开会吧。 (Wǒmen kāishǐ kāihuì ba. - Let's start the meeting.)

• 使用 (shǐyòng) - The general, everyday verb for “to use.” 启用 is the act of starting to 使用.
• 激活 (jīhuó) - “To activate.” A very close synonym to 启用 in technical contexts, especially for software licenses, bank cards, and SIM cards. 激活 often implies unlocking something with a code or a specific action.
• 停用 (tíngyòng) - “To stop using, disable, deactivate.” The direct antonym of 启用.
• 启动 (qǐdòng) - “To start up, to launch, to boot up.” This is used for machines, engines, and computer programs. 启动 is about getting the machine running, while 启用 is about putting it into official service. You 启动 your computer, and then you 启用 a new software on it.
• 开通 (kāitōng) - “To open a service.” Used for things like opening a new bank account, getting a phone number, or subscribing to internet service.
• 投入使用 (tóurù shǐyòng) - A formal, four-character phrase meaning “to put into use/operation.” It is very similar in meaning and formality to 启用.