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利益 (lì yì) — benefit; (material) interest

Definition

利益 (lìyì) covers both tangible 'interests/benefits' (your stake, what you gain) and broader material advantage — more formal and weightier than 好处, which is everyday 'good point/benefit'. Often pairs with verbs like 保护, 损害, 追求 in formal contexts.

noun
benefit(material) interest
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 利益。
    Wǒ men bù néng zhǐ gù zì jǐ de lì yì.
    We can't just look after our own interests.
  • 利益。
    Zhè ge zhèng cè bǎo hù le nóng mín de lì yì.
    This policy protects the farmers' interests.
  • 利益。
    Tā wèi le lì yì shén me dōu yuàn yì zuò.
    He is willing to do anything for gain.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

利lìbenefit
益yìbenefit

利 and 益 both mean benefit, so together they refer to benefits.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

利 combines 禾 (grain) and 刀 (knife), showing a knife used to cut grain.

Open 利 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

益 puts 水 (water) above 皿 (a vessel), originally showing water overflowing the vessel.

Open 益 →
Appears in
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