Thread: What is the Difference Between These Words

Hello, all of the below words mean "use". But what is the exact difference between them? Thanks alot in advance

использование
применение
употребление
пользование

It's actually quite challenging.

"Пользование" stand apart, because it's a word that has limited usage is certain constructions: "общественное пользование", "личное пользование" "природопользование", "владение и пользование". I see no meaning difference between "пользование" и "использование". You just use first in certain phrases and second in all other cases.

They are almost synonyms it seems. But in certain cases, you can't arbitrarily choose among them.
1. Speaking of food/drink/drugs, we say "употребление": "употребление витаминов позволяет уменьшить риск простудиться весной"
2. Speaking of expendable things, we would likely say "использование": использование стирального порошка, обойного клея, бомб, ...
3. Применение/использование are most used when speaking about "tools", including abstract ones: применение силы, угроз, влияния, убеждения, шанса (force, threats, power, persuasion, chance).

P.S.
Sorry, применение шанса is incorrect, использование шанса is Ok

Спасибо большое за ответы. Они мне много помогли