收益

• Pinyin: shōu yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 收 = 丩 (to twist) + 攵 (to strike), meaning to gather; 益 = 皿 (dish) with water overflowing, meaning benefit or increase

Meaning

Revenue; profit; returns. Financial gains from investment, business, or other economic activity.

Primarily used in financial and business contexts to refer to monetary gains or returns. Can refer to investment returns, business profits, or economic benefits. More formal than 赚 and specifically emphasises the income or gain aspect.

Examples

1. 今年公司的收益比去年增长了百分之二十。 The company's revenue grew by twenty percent this year compared to last year.
2. 投资股票的收益并不总是很稳定。 Returns from investing in stocks are not always stable.
3. 这家网店每个月的收益都在增加。 This online shop's earnings increase every month.

Usage Guide

Context: business, finance

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这项投资的收益还不错。(The returns on this investment are pretty good.)
• 公司今年的收益超出了预期。(The company's revenue exceeded expectations this year.)

Don't Say

• 我这次考试的收益很大。(Don't use 收益 for personal learning gains — use 收获 instead; 收益 is mainly financial.)

Origin & History

Compound of 收 (to collect, to receive) and 益 (benefit, profit), literally 'collected benefits.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal