'借用' (jiè yòng) is a compound verb meaning 'to borrow and use'—emphasizing temporary possession for practical application, not just borrowing an object. The first character 借 (jiè) means 'to borrow', while the second 用 (yòng) means 'to use'; together, they convey the idea of temporarily taking something for active, functional use. It often implies formality or permission, especially in professional, academic, or institutional contexts.

This word is commonly used when referring to tools, space, time, resources, or even abstract concepts like ideas or terminology. Unlike simple 借 (jiè), which can be neutral or casual (e.g., borrowing a pen), 借用 suggests intentionality, purpose, and sometimes a degree of respect or procedural awareness—such as borrowing a colleague’s office for a meeting or citing another scholar’s framework in research.