利益

• Reading: りえき
• Romaji: rieki
• Kanji breakdown: 利 (ri) — profit, advantage, benefit; 益 (eki) — benefit, gain, advantage
• Pronunciation: /ɾi.e.ki/

Meaning

Profit; gains. The financial benefit or advantage gained from business activities.

A noun that refers to monetary profit or gain, as well as benefit or advantage in a broader sense. In business contexts, 利益 specifically means profit after costs. Common collocations include 利益を出す (to make a profit), 利益率 (profit margin), and 純利益 (net profit).

Examples

1. その会社は去年大きな利益を出した。 That company made a large profit last year.
2. 利益よりも社会貢献を大切にする企業もある。 Some companies value social contribution over profit.
3. 売り上げは増えたが利益は減ってしまった。 Sales increased, but profits actually went down.

Usage Guide

Context: business, finance, economics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 利 (profit, advantage, benefit) and 益 (benefit, gain). Both characters convey the meaning of benefit, reinforcing the concept of gain.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal