also: やく · よう
noun
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.
読書は心の益になる。
Reading is good for the mind.
noun
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.
Rare reading, mostly found in Buddhist contexts or older texts.
利益 is the more common and formal word for profit or benefit, used in both financial and general contexts. 益 is shorter and often appears in compounds or set phrases.
得 emphasizes personal advantage or gain, often in a more casual or practical sense (e.g., 得をする). 益 is more neutral and can refer to abstract or collective benefit.
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.