Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that a business, activity, or investment is profitable in Japanese. It includes common verbs, adjectives, and set phrases, organized by nuance and context.
To say that a business, venture, or activity makes a profit or is in the black.
The most common and natural verb meaning 'to be profitable' or 'to make a profit'. Used for businesses, deals, and activities that yield financial gain.
この商売は儲かりますか？
Is this business profitable?
あの店はすごく儲かっているらしい。
I hear that shop is very profitable.
Literally 'profit comes out'. A straightforward way to say that a profit is generated. Slightly more formal than 儲かる.
今年はやっと利益が出た。
We finally turned a profit this year.
Means 'in the black', i.e., profitable. Often used in financial contexts. The opposite is 赤字 (あかじ, in the red).
会社は黒字に転じた。
The company turned profitable.
Means 'to be viable/profitable' in the sense of covering costs. Often used in business planning.
この事業は採算が取れない。
This project isn't profitable.
To describe something that yields a good return or is financially rewarding.
Means 'highly profitable' in terms of yield or return. Common in investment and business analysis.
この投資は収益性が高い。
This investment is highly profitable.
Also used for investments or assets that generate profit.
株で儲かった。
I made a profit on stocks.
Specifically refers to a good yield or return rate, often for financial products.
この債券は利回りがいい。
This bond has a good yield.
To express that something is worthwhile or advantageous, not necessarily in monetary terms.
Means 'beneficial' or 'profitable' in a broad sense, such as gaining knowledge or experience.
この経験はとても有益だった。
This experience was very profitable (beneficial).
Means 'advantageous' or 'a good deal'. Used when something is profitable in terms of benefit vs. cost.
早く買ったほうが得だよ。
It's more profitable to buy early.
儲かる is more colloquial and focuses on the result of making money. 利益が出る is slightly more formal and emphasizes the emergence of profit. In casual conversation, 儲かる is preferred.
この仕事はあまり儲からない。
This job isn't very profitable.
新事業から利益が出始めた。
The new business has started to turn a profit.
Avoid directly translating 'be profitable' as 有益である or 利益がある in business contexts. 有益 is for non-monetary benefit, and 利益がある is less natural than 利益が出る or 儲かる.