利
profit · advantage · benefit
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
grain + sword
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'grain' (禾) with 'blade' (刂), from cutting rice with a sharp blade. Means sharpness, profit, and convenience.
Symbolism
Symbolizes profit, usefulness, and efficiency. Represents wisdom to advance things favorably and practical value.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一利一害
いちりいちがい
advantages and disadvantages; gain some, lose some; advantages and disadvantages
党利党略
とうりとうりゃく
party political interests; partisan politics; party political interests
薄利多売
はくりたばい
small profits and quick returns; small profits and quick returns
利己主義
りこしゅぎ
egoism; egotism; selfishness; egoism
国利民福
こくりみんぷく
national interests and the people's welfare; national interests and the people's welfare
利用価値
りようかち
utility value; utility value
利害得失
りがいとくしつ
advantages and disadvantages; pros and cons; advantages and disadvantages
私利私欲
しりしよく
self-interest; selfish desire; greed; self-interest
現世利益
げんせりやく
benefits gained in this world through observance of the Buddhist teachings; happiness gained in this world through observance of the Buddhist teachings; benefits gained in this world through observance of the Buddhist teachings
片利共生
へんりきょうせい
commensalism; commensalism