役えきする

suru verb (special), transitive verb

set to work; employ by force; put to use

Used for compelling people to work, often with a nuance of official or forced labor. The object is typically citizens, laborers, or subordinates.

• 政せい府ふは被ひ災さい者しゃを復ふっ旧きゅう作さ業ぎょうに役えきした。

  The government set the disaster victims to work on recovery operations.

• 古こ代だいでは捕ほ虜りょを農のう場じょうで役えきすることがあった。

  In ancient times, captives were sometimes employed by force on farms.

suru verb (special), transitive verb

use; utilize

Broader sense of putting something to use, not limited to people. Can apply to tools, resources, or abilities. Less common than 使う in everyday speech.

• この機き械かいを役えきして生せい産さん性せいを上あげる。

  We use this machine to increase productivity.