損得

• Reading: そんとく
• Romaji: sontoku
• Kanji breakdown: 損 (son) — loss, damage; 得 (toku) — gain, profit
• Pronunciation: /so.ɴ.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Profit and loss; advantages and disadvantages. A practical reckoning of what one gains or loses.

A noun representing the pragmatic calculation of self-interest. 損得を考える (to weigh up pros and cons) and 損得抜きに (without regard to personal gain) are key phrases. 損得勘定 (calculating profit and loss; ulterior motives) is often used critically to describe someone acting purely out of self-interest. It can carry a slightly cynical tone.

Examples

1. 損得を抜きにして、困っている人を助けるのが人情というものだ。 Setting aside personal gain and helping someone in need is simply human decency.
2. 彼はいつも損得で人間関係を判断するから、信頼されにくい。 He always judges personal relationships by profit and loss, which makes it hard for others to trust him.
3. 投資の判断において、短期的な損得だけでなく、長期的な視点も必要だ。 In making investment decisions, it is necessary to take a long-term view, not just short-term profit and loss.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, business, human relations, ethics

Tone: pragmatic

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 損 (son) means loss or damage, 得 (toku) means gain or profit. A paired compound contrasting two economic outcomes.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal