得失

• Pinyin: dé shī
• Hanzi breakdown: 得 = 彳 + 旦 + 寸 (to obtain); 失 = hand variant (to drop/lose)

Meaning

Gains and losses; pros and cons; success and failure. The balance between what is won and what is lost in any decision or situation.

Often used in philosophical or strategic discussions about trade-offs and outcomes. Common in formal writing and reflective analysis. Appears in the set phrase 权衡得失 (to weigh gains and losses).

Examples

1. 做重大决策前，必须仔细权衡得失。 Before making a major decision, you have to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
2. 她不太计较个人得失，凡事以大局为重。 She doesn’t dwell on personal gains and losses; she always puts the bigger picture first.
3. 改革方案的得失尚待时间的检验。 The pros and cons of the reform plan still need to be tested by time.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, strategy, philosophy, decision-making

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们应当理性分析这次合作的得失，再决定是否继续。(We should rationally analyse the gains and losses of this collaboration before deciding whether to continue.)
• 不以个人得失论英雄，方能成就大业。(Not judging heroes by personal gain and loss is how great things are achieved.)

Don't Say

• 他的得失很多 — unnatural; use 他的收获与损失很大 for concrete outcomes

Origin & History

得 (gain) + 失 (lose)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal