Japanese word

利

Pronunciation

Romajiri

Meaning

  • nounadvantage

Example

先に動くと利があります。saki ni ugo ku to ri ga a ri ma su

Acting first gives us an advantage.

Illustration for 利 (advantage)

More examples

この契約には長期的な利があります。ko no kei yaku ni wa chō ki teki na ri ga a ri ma su

This contract offers a long-term advantage.

Core concept

It refers to something that places a person in a better position or produces a useful gain.

Common phrases

  • 利があるri ga a ru

    have an advantage

  • 利を得るri o u ru

    gain an advantage

  • 利を生かすri o i ka su

    make use of an advantage

Similar words

利点riten: A favorable feature that makes a person, choice, or thing more useful or effective.
得toku: A benefit or gain received from an action, choice, or situation.
益eki: A beneficial result or gain produced by an action or arrangement.
利益rieki: A benefit or profit gained through an activity, arrangement, or transaction.

Definition in Japanese

物事を有利に進められる立場や、そこから得られる利益。mono goto o yū ri ni susu me ra re ru tachi ba ya so ko ka ra e ra re ru ri eki

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 利 (ri, "benefit") comes from the Chinese-derived character 利, which has long carried the senses of benefit, profit, and usefulness.

Usage tips

  • 利 (ri) often has a formal or written tone in modern Japanese, so it is less casual as a standalone noun than everyday expressions for a personal advantage.

Other meanings

  • profitnoun
  • interestnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 利するrisurubenefitverb

Word lists with this word