expression, ichidan verb
recover costs; break even
Used when an investment, purchase, or expense yields enough return to cover the original outlay. Often used in business or personal finance contexts.
See also: 元 (もと)
この機械は高いけど、たくさん使えばすぐに元が取れるよ。
This machine is expensive, but if you use it a lot, you'll quickly recover the cost.
広告費をかけたけど、売上が伸びて元が取れた。
We spent money on advertising, but sales increased and we broke even.
expression, ichidan verb
pay off; be worth the effort
Idiomatic extension: effort, hardship, or time invested yields a worthwhile result. Often used for studying, training, or difficult experiences.
毎日練習したおかげで試合に勝てた。苦労の元が取れたよ。
Thanks to practicing every day, we won the match. The hard work paid off.
この資格を取るのは大変だったけど、転職に役立って元が取れた。
Getting this qualification was tough, but it helped me change jobs and was worth the effort.