1.
frequent use, heavy use
Using something often or in large amounts.
カタカナ語を多用する。
To use many katakana words.
専門用語の多用は避けてください。
Please avoid excessive use of technical terms.
この文章は受身を多用しすぎて読みにくい。
This text overuses the passive voice, making it hard to read.
2.
being busy, having many things to do
Having many tasks or engagements. Used as a polite way to describe being busy.
ご多用のところ恐れ入ります。
I'm sorry to bother you when you are so busy.
ご多用とは存じますが、ご出席いただけますか。
I know you are busy, but would you be able to attend?
ご多用のところお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
多用 has two distinct uses: "frequent use" (sense 1) and "being busy" (sense 2).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 多用する (to use frequently)
- 多用を避ける (to avoid overuse)
- ご多用のところ (despite your busy schedule — polite set phrase)
USAGE:
Sense 2 is primarily used in polite or formal expressions, especially in business correspondence. ご多用 is a respectful way to acknowledge that someone is busy, similar to ご多忙.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 多用 vs. 多様: Despite identical readings, these are different words. 多用 means "frequent use" or "busy," while 多様 means "diverse" or "varied."