工具 gōngjù tool
tool; instrument; utensil; means (to achieve a goal etc)
How to remember 工具: 工 work + 具 tool = tool.
Characters
How it is used
- A tool/instrument, literal or figurative: 工具箱 (gōngjùxiāng) toolbox; 交通工具 means of transport; 学习工具.
- Very productive in compounds for "means/vehicle for X."
- Figurative "a mere tool" also exists - 被当成工具 be used as a tool.
Example sentences
- 这些工具是用来造房子的。 Zhèxiē gōngjù shì yònglái zào fángzi de.These tools are used for building a house.
- 你会需要一个特殊的工具来做这件事。 Nǐ huì xūyào yígè tèshū de gōngjù lái zuò zhèjiàn shì.You'll need a special tool to do it.