採算

• Reading: さいさん
• Romaji: saisan
• Kanji breakdown: 採 (sai) — take, gather, adopt; 算 (san) — calculate, count
• Pronunciation: /sa.i.saɴ/

Meaning

Profitability; profit calculation. Whether a business or project is financially worthwhile.

A noun used to evaluate whether something makes financial sense. Key collocations: 採算が取れる (be profitable), 採算が合わない (not be profitable), 採算性 (profitability), 採算度外視 (disregarding profitability). Often used when assessing business viability rather than discussing actual profit amounts.

Examples

1. この事業は採算が取れるまでに3年はかかるだろう。 It will probably take three years before this business becomes profitable.
2. 人件費の高騰で、採算が合わなくなってきた。 Due to soaring labor costs, the business is no longer profitable.
3. 採算を度外視してでも、地域のために続けたい事業がある。 There are businesses we want to keep running for the community, even if they aren't profitable.

Usage Guide

Context: business, accounting, management

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 採 (sai, take/gather) + 算 (san, calculate/count). Literally 'gathering the calculations' — assessing whether the numbers add up to a profit.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional