Translation and Meaning of: 利益 - rieki

The word 「利益」 (rieki) is a Japanese term that often refers to "profit" or "benefit." In financial and economic contexts, "profit" is the most common translation, while "benefit" can be applied in more general contexts. The etymology of the word is quite interesting: 「利」 (ri) means "advantage" or "benefit," while 「益」 (eki) refers to "gain" or "profit." Therefore, the combination of these characters captures the idea of gaining advantage or profit in a given situation.

In the business world in Japan, 「利益」 is a key word. It can refer to a variety of contexts, including the profit obtained by a company after all expenses have been subtracted from revenue. Additionally, the term can also be used in non-financial contexts, referring to any form of gain or improvement that someone can obtain from a given situation or action. The flexibility of the word allows its use in diverse areas such as economics, philosophy, and law.

Variations and Use

• "「利益を上げる」 (rieki wo ageru): increase profit."
• 「利益率」 (riekiritsu): profit rate.
• 「利益追求」 (rieki tsuikyū): pursuit of profit.

The origin of the word can be traced back to earlier times in Japan, reflecting the importance of benefits and profits in an agricultural society and eventually in feudal and mercantile ones. In modern times, 「利益」 has evolved to encom not only economic profit but also other forms of personal or collective gain, such as improvements in health or an increase in knowledge.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 利得 (ritoku) - Gain or profit obtained, usually related to financial benefits.
• 利潤 (rijun) - Net income after deducting expenses refers to the financial outcome of a business operation.
• 利益性 (rieki-sei) - Quality or characteristic of generating profit, indicating the financial viability of an investment or business.
• 利益率 (rieki-ritsu) - Profit margin percentage, which measures efficiency in generating profit relative to revenues or investments.