also: やく · よう
General noun for something that is beneficial, useful, or advantageous. Often used in phrases like 益になる (to be beneficial) or 益をもたらす (to bring benefit).
この経験は将来の益になるだろう。
This experience will be beneficial in the future.
This experience will likely be beneficial in the future.
読書は心の益になる。
Reading is good for the mind.
Specifically refers to financial profit or monetary gain. Common in business or economic contexts.
会社は今年大きな益を上げた。
The company made a large profit this year.
投資の益は予想以上だった。
The gains from the investment were greater than expected.
この政策は国民に大きな益をもたらした。
This policy brought great benefit to the citizens.
He gained a lot of profit from that deal.
恩恵 refers to a blessing or favorable gift bestowed by nature, a person, or circumstance, while 益 is a more general, neutral word for benefit or advantage.
損 means a financial loss, the direct opposite of 益 (profit) in business or accounting contexts.
害 means harm or damage, the general opposite of 益 (benefit), as seen in pairs like 益虫 (beneficial insect) versus 害虫 (harmful insect).
益 means benefit or profit, while 液 (also read えき) means liquid or fluid; they are unrelated words that happen to share the same pronunciation.
益 is counted with the general-purpose counter つ when referring to an individual benefit or advantage, e.g. 一つの益.
profit; gains · benefit; advantage; good · grace; blessing; miracle
earnings; revenue; proceeds; returns
beneficial; useful; profitable; instructive
public interest; public benefit; public good
disadvantage; drawback; handicap; loss
national interest
interests; rights and interests
profit and loss; advantage and disadvantage
benefiting; receiving benefits
Standard kanji spelling for the most common reading えき.
Rare reading, mostly found in Buddhist contexts or older texts.
Rare reading, mostly found in Buddhist contexts or older texts.
The kanji 益 originally depicts water overflowing from a vessel, symbolizing increase or abundance. The word えき is a Sino-Japanese reading (on'yomi) derived from Middle Chinese. The alternative readings やく and よう are older or specialized Buddhist readings.
useless; futile; vain
actual profit; practical benefit; real gain
convenience; benefit; profit
increase in profit; profit growth
decrease in profits; profit decline
unrealized profit; paper profit
common benefit; public good
marginal profit; gain from price difference
legally protected interest; legal benefit
beneficial insect; useful insect
annual profit; yearly gain
use and benefits; utility and profit
good friend; beneficial friend
beneficial animal; useful animal
profits tax; consumption tax retained by businesses
profit; gain; earnings
beneficial bird
interests of a ministry; departmental interests
private interests; personal interests
net profit; clear profit; net income