While 用 (yòng) is a functional word, its frequent usage highlights a pragmatic aspect of Chinese communication. The language often places emphasis on the means, method, or tool used to perform an action. In English, we might say, “I'll contact you.” The method is unstated. In Chinese, it's very common and natural to be more specific by using 用: “我用微信联系你 (Wǒ yòng Wēixìn liánxì nǐ)“—”I'll use WeChat to contact you.” This isn't just about being verbose; it reflects a mindset that often values clarity and practicality in process. This contrasts with the Western tendency to sometimes focus more on the abstract action itself. The structure that 用 creates (`用 + Tool + Action`) is a foundational pattern in Chinese thought, organizing an event by first establishing the instrument and then stating the resulting action. It’s a small but constant linguistic habit that reflects a practical, grounded approach to describing the world.
用 is an extremely high-frequency word with several key functions in daily conversation.