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Kotomora

利

profit, advantage, benefit

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 500Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • リ

Kun'yomi

  • き.く

Nanori

  • かが
  • と
  • とし
  • のり
  • み
  • りい

Meaning

利 centers on a favorable outcome or gain: profit, advantage, or benefit. It expresses the idea of something working to one's good.

Most common words using 利

24 of 517
  • 利用りよう
    N4

    use; utilization; utilisation; application

  • 勝利しょうり
    N2

    victory; triumph; win; conquest; success

  • 権利けんり
    N3

    right; privilege

  • 便利べんり
    N5

    convenient; handy; useful

  • 利益りえき
    N2

    profit; gains

  • 利り

    advantage; benefit; profit; interest

  • 有利ゆうり
    N3

    advantageous; favourable; better; stronger

  • 不利ふり
    N2

    disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position

  • 金利きんり
    N1

    interest rate; interest

  • 利点りてん
    N1

    advantage; point in favor; point in favour

  • 営利えいり
    N1

    money-making; commercialized; commercialised

  • 利便りべん

    convenience

  • 利己りこ

    self-interest

  • 利害りがい
    N2

    advantages and disadvantages; interests (of parties)

  • 不利益ふりえき
    N1

    disadvantage; handicap; drawback; inadvisability; inexpediency; loss

  • 利権りけん

    interest; rights; concession

  • 左利きひだりきき
    N1

    left-handedness; left-handed person; left-hander

  • 利子りし
    N2

    interest (on a deposit, loan, etc.)

  • 砂利じゃり
    N1

    gravel; ballast; pebbles

  • 利口りこう
    N3

    clever; intelligent; bright; smart; wise; sensible; shrewd

  • 利息りそく
    N2

    interest (on a loan, deposit etc.)

  • 利上げりあげ

    increase in interest rates

  • 利回りりまわり

    interest; (investment) yield; profits

  • 鋭利えいり

    sharp; keen; acute

Explore all words using 利 →

Study

Etymology

利 combines 禾 (grain) and 刂 (knife), suggesting the idea of cutting grain with a sharp tool for a good harvest, hence profit or benefit.

Meaning mnemonic

Picture a sharp knife 刂 harvesting grain 禾: the harvest brings profit and advantage.

Reading mnemonic

For リ, imagine a farmer reaping grain with a knife and saying 'Reap the profit!': reap -> リ.