利益

• Pinyin: lì yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 利 = 禾 (grain) + 刂 (knife) — harvesting profit; 益 = 皿 (dish) with water overflowing — increase, overflow of benefit

Meaning

Interest; benefit; profit. Refers to advantages or gains, especially in business, politics, or group contexts.

A more formal word than 好处 (benefit). Used extensively in discussions about business, politics, law, and social issues. Common phrases include 个人利益 (personal interest), 公共利益 (public interest), 利益冲突 (conflict of interest), and 维护利益 (protect interests). Carries a serious, often strategic connotation.

Examples

1. 公司的决定应该考虑到所有员工的利益。 The company's decisions should take all employees' interests into account.
2. 他为了个人利益放弃了团队合作。 He gave up teamwork for the sake of personal gain.
3. 保护消费者的利益是这条法律的目的。 Protecting the interests of consumers is the purpose of this law.

Usage Guide

Context: business, politics, law, social issues

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我们要维护国家的利益。(We must protect the nation's interests.)
• 这个政策对大家的利益都有好处。(This policy benefits everyone's interests.)

Don't Say

• 吃早饭对身体有利益 (For general health benefits in casual speech, use 好处 — 利益 is for strategic or institutional gains, not everyday health tips)

Origin & History

Composed of 利 (profit, benefit) and 益 (increase, advantage). Both characters independently mean benefit, and together they form a formal compound emphasising tangible gains or advantages.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal