使い
Meanings
errand; going on an errand
Refers to the act of running an errand or the errand itself. Often used in phrases like 使いに行く or 使いを頼む.
My mother asked me to go on an errand to the neighborhood supermarket.
messenger; errand runner
A person sent on an errand or to deliver a message. Can be used for both children and adults, though お使い is common for children's errands.
He went to the Osaka branch office as the president's messenger.
A supernatural servant or spirit, as in folklore or fantasy. Often seen in compounds like 使い魔.
See also: 使い魔
The witch used a black cat as her familiar.
noun, used as a suffix, noun, used as a prefix
user; handler; tamer; way of using
Suffix (often voiced to づかい) or prefix indicating a person who uses/handles something or the manner of using it. Common in compounds like 魔法使い (magic user), 筆使い (brushwork).
He is training as a wizard's apprentice.
This painter's brushwork is very delicate.
Usage patterns
- 使いに行くto go run an errand
I went to the vegetable shop on an errand for my mother.
- 使いを立てるto send a messenger
The king sent messengers to each country.
- 使いを頼むto ask someone to run an errand
I asked a neighborhood kid to run an errand for me.
- 使いに出すto send someone out on an errand
The grandmother sent her grandchild out on an errand.