French · Everyday Verbs
"to use" in French: utiliser
utiliser
To use in French is utiliser: j'utilise mon téléphone, tu utilises cette appli ? Se servir de is a common alternative: je me sers de mon ordi.
Kitchen tip
J'utilise ce couteau pour les légumes.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce utiliser
Say it
y-tee-lee-ZAY
/y.ti.li.ze/
Utiliser: y-tee-lee-ZAY. Clear u at the start; stress on the end.
"to use" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| utiliser | to use Tools, apps, methods. | Tools, apps, methods. |
| j'utilise | I use Present. | Present. |
| se servir de | to use / make use of Everyday alternative. | Everyday alternative. |
| mode d'emploi | instructions for use Related noun phrase. | Related noun phrase. |
How to use utiliser in real life
- 1Kitchen tip
J'utilise ce couteau pour les légumes.
I use this knife for vegetables.
J'utilise.
- 2App talk
Tu utilises encore ce navigateur ?
Do you still use that browser?
Tu utilises.
- 3Office
On utilise la salle pour la réunion de dix heures.
We're using the room for the 10 a.m. meeting.
On utilise.
Mistakes English speakers make with utiliser
Incorrect: J'use mon téléphone.
Correct: J'utilise mon téléphone.
User/use confusion: utiliser for to use; user means wear out.
Incorrect: Je use ça.
Correct: J'utilise ça.
Use utiliser, not English use.
Good to know
Utilisation is the noun (use/usage) — different from the verb. Softwares say conditions d'utilisation.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Sharing a charger
ChatPal
Tu utilises quel câble pour ton téléphone ?
Which cable do you use for your phone?
You
J'utilise celui-là, le blanc.
I use that one — the white one.
ChatPal
Je peux l'utiliser deux minutes ?
Can I use it for two minutes?
You
Bien sûr, vas-y.
Of course, go ahead.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to use" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to use" in French
How do you say to use in French?
Utiliser.
Utiliser or se servir de?
Both mean to use; se servir de is very natural.
How do you say I use…?
J'utilise…
How do you pronounce utiliser?
y-tee-lee-ZAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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