利潤

• Reading: りじゅん
• Romaji: rijun
• Kanji breakdown: 利 (ri) — profit, benefit, interest; 潤 (jun) — moist, enrich, profit
• Pronunciation: /ɾi.dʑɯɴ/

Meaning

Profit; returns. The financial gain from a business activity after deducting costs and expenses.

A noun used primarily in business and economics. More formal and specific than 利益 (rieki, profit/benefit), which is the general-purpose word for any kind of gain. 利潤 specifically refers to monetary profit in commercial or economic contexts. Common collocations include 利潤を追求する (to pursue profit), 利潤率 (profit rate/margin), and 利潤を上げる (to raise profits). Frequently used in economic theory and business analysis.

Examples

1. その会社は高い利潤を上げ続けている。 That company has continued to generate high profits.
2. 利潤だけを追求する経営は長続きしない。 A management style that pursues only profit won't last long.
3. 原材料費の高騰で利潤が大幅に縮小した。 Profits shrank significantly due to rising raw material costs.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, business, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 利 (ri, profit/benefit) + 潤 (jun, moist/enrich/profit). Both kanji carry the sense of enrichment — combined, they emphasise financial gain that enriches a business.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional