benutzen

use

verb be-NUT-sen Less Common

Usage Note

benutzen is the everyday verb for using an object or tool, near-synonymous with benützen (the southern variant) and verwenden. Unlike English 'use', it is not used for consuming up resources — for that prefer verbrauchen.

Examples

"Darf ich dein Telefon benutzen?"

Natural Translation

May I use your phone?

Literal Translation

May I your phone use?

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