goodwill
Meaning: In business and accounting, the intangible value of a company beyond its net tangible assets, representing reputation, customer loyalty, and brand recognition; more broadly, friendly or helpful feelings towards others.
In accounting, goodwill appears on the balance sheet when one company acquires another for more than the fair value of its identifiable assets. It is regularly tested for impairment and can be written down if the acquired business underperforms. In general usage, goodwill denotes benevolence or willingness to cooperate — 'a gesture of goodwill' is a common collocation. The two senses are distinct but both carry connotations of value that cannot be easily quantified.
Examples
- The acquisition price included £2.4 billion in goodwill, reflecting the strength of the target's brand and customer base. 此次收購価格包含24億英鎊的商誉,反映了目标公司品牌和客户基础的实力。El precio de adquisición incluía 2.400 millones de libras en fondo de comercio, lo que reflejaba la solidez de la marca y la base de clientes de la empresa objetivo.買収価格には24億ポンドののれんが含まれており、買収先のブランド力と顧客基盤の強さを反映していた。인수 가격에는 24억 파운드의 영업권이 포함되어 있었으며, 이는 인수 대상 기업의 브랜드와 고객 기반의 강점을 반영한 것이었다.
- Auditors raised concerns that the goodwill on the group's balance sheet was overstated and required impairment testing. 审计师对集团资产负债表上的商誉是否被高估以及是否需要进行减值测试表示了担忧。Los auditores expresaron su preocupación por que el fondo de comercio en el balance del grupo estuviera sobrevalorado y requiriese pruebas de deterioro.監査人は、グループの貸借対照表上ののれんが過大に計上されており減損テストが必要であると懸念を示した。감사인은 그룹 대차대조표상의 영업권이 과대 계상되어 있어 손상 검사가 필요하다는 우려를 제기했다.
- The government offered the pay rise as a gesture of goodwill to bring the striking nurses back to the negotiating table. 政府提出加薪作为善意的表示,以促使罢工的护士重返谈判桌。El gobierno ofreció el aumento salarial como un gesto de buena voluntad para que las enfermeras en huelga volvieran a la mesa de negociación.政府はストライキ中の看護師を交渉の場に戻すための善意の表れとして賃上げを提示した。정부는 파업 중인 간호사들을 협상 테이블로 복귀시키기 위한 선의의 표시로 임금 인상을 제안했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: finance, accounting, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English gōd (good) and willa (will, desire). The commercial sense emerged in the 16th century, when it referred to the favour or patronage of customers that a business had built up.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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