Emplear vs Usar

Question

Is there a significant difference between the verbs "Emplear" and "Usar".Or are they interchangeable?

Thanks - aliciaderuijter, Dec 31, 2016

Answer 1

In some contexts, they can be used interchangeably. However, there are key differences. Emplear and usar are for the most part pairs that correspond with employ and use respectively. On that point, they are not the same.

Emplear for example can mean to "employ" someone in the meaning of "hire", something usar cannot do without a circumlocution. Usar has less versatiity than the word emplear. Emplear inherits much of the usage of usar. For example, one could say, "Puedes emplear la barra de jabón o la botella (de bomba)". Another key difference is one can receive employment as in "emplearse" such as in the sentence se empleó de camarero.

And of course there is a multitude of areas in which they can be interchanged. Usar algo and emplear algo would both essentially mean to "use/put something to use". Usa tu dinero bien and emplea tu dinero bien would both be acceptable. (Only the latter could be more flexible).

In short, they are the same in many ways, but they are not the same. Emplear is a higher word than "usar" is, at least in its usability.

Thank you for your elaborate explanation. - aliciaderuijter, Dec 31, 2016

De nada! - NuncaSeSabe, Dec 31, 2016

Answer 2

They can be used as synonims when the meaning is about using something.

From the RAE: usar (? hacer servir para algo). Empleaba una pluma para escribir.

Thanks - aliciaderuijter, Dec 31, 2016