Refers to a person who uses something, such as a tool, service, or product. Can also mean an employer in the context of hiring someone.
このアプリの使い手は世界中にいる。
Users of this app are all over the world.
彼は良い使い手として知られている。
He is known as a good employer.
master; expert handler
Only when written 遣い手
Indicates a skilled practitioner, especially in traditional arts or martial disciplines like swordsmanship. Often written as 遣い手 in this sense.
彼は剣の遣い手として名高い。
He is renowned as a master swordsman.
spendthrift; prodigal
Describes a person who spends money freely or wastefully. This usage is relatively rare and may be considered dated.
あの人は金の使い手で、すぐに給料を使い切ってしまう。
That person is a spendthrift and quickly uses up their salary.
名人 means 'master' or 'expert' in a general sense, often implying high acclaim, whereas 使い手 (in the master sense) specifically refers to a skilled handler of something, like a weapon or tool.
Standard kanji form; used in news and common writing.
Rare kanji form, especially associated with the 'master' sense (e.g., of swordsmanship).
Compound of 使い (tsukai, 'use') + 手 (te, 'person'). The 遣い手 variant uses a kanji associated with 'dispatch' or 'use' in a more specialized sense.