利
profit, advantage, benefit
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
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.