Difference between "использовать" and "пользоваться"

Question

I know that the verb to use can be translated into Russian as использовать (with the accusative) or пользоваться (with the instrumental).

I wanted to ask if there's a difference in meaning/usage between these two verbs or if they're perfectly interchangeable.

Answer 1

I'd say that where no special aspectual meanings are involved, "пользоваться" means to use something for the purpose it was intended for.

пользоваться словарем = use a dictionary to look up words
Ты пользуешься этой зубной щеткой? = Do you brush your teeth with this toothbrush? (Ex.1)

However, "использовать" doesn't really mean to use a thing for what it was intended for; it can be anything. For example, you can't just say:

*Я использую эту зубную щетку.

You should either use "пользоваться" or state what you're using the toothbrush for:

Я использую эту зубную щетку, чтобы чистить украшения \ для украшений. (Ex.2)

And under normal circumstances, it would sound strange to say:

Я использую эту зубную щетку, чтобы чистить зубы. (Ex.3)

This can only be said if the other person was actually asking what you're using the toothbrush for.

Actually, if you are asked what you're using your toothbrush for, (Ex.2) or (Ex.3) are the correct ways to express your thoughts (depending on whether you're using your toothbrush for jewelry or for teeth). Saying something like (Ex.1) would be wrong, because then your answer would stress the fact that you're using the toothbrush, not explain the purpose.

Answer 2

The word использовать usually refers to a specific incident:

Я использовал свой купон
I used my coupon.

Note that whatever you used in a specific incident doesn't necessarily disappear after you've used it, for example, you could say:

Я использовал умение красиво врать
I used my skill of lying artfully

After using such a skill, it doesn't disappear and you can use it again.

However it may disappear (or at least turn into something not suitable for the original purpose), in which case all (весь/вся/всё/все) is often added for clarification :

Я исользовал всю краску.
I used all the paint.

The word пользоваться refers to the ability to use something or the process of such usage (as in a prolonged action).

Я пользуюсь общественным транспортом.
I use public transport.

or

Я пользуюсь своей отверткой.
I use my screwdriver.

Answer 3

They're not always interchangeable. The two words have the same root польз, therefore the prefix in the first one changes the meaning, as usual.

The first one can be used as a perfective, e.g.: использовать и выбросить or он использовал все гвозди.

The second one assumes prolonged or repeated action: пользоваться молотком для забивания гвоздей. The first one can also be used for this: для забивания гвоздей обычно используют молоток.

However, in some cases, only one verb sounds good, e.g.: Эту чашку можно использовать для чая? is fine, but it would sound strange if you said Можно этой чашкой пользоваться для чая?  Пользоваться really assumes a more mechanical kind of action, although one can say пользоваться свободой действий.

HTH :)