HSK · Level 69
75 words
Chinese word
利害
Pronunciation
Pinyinlì hài
Meaning
- nounpros and cons
Example
在做决定时，要考虑利害。zài zuò jué dìng shí yào kǎo lǜ lì hài
The pros and cons should be considered when making a decision.
More examples
公司高层需要平衡各方的利害。gōng sī gāo céng xū yào píng héng gè fāng de lì hài
The company's senior managers need to balance the interests of all parties.
Core concept
A set of competing gains and losses that must be weighed before a decision or during a dispute.
Common phrases
利害得失lì hài dé shī
pros and cons
权衡利害quán héng lì hài
weigh the pros and cons
利害关系lì hài guān xì
interests involved
Similar words
利益lì yì: A useful benefit or profit gained from an action or transaction.
得失dé shī: What is gained and lost as a result of an action or choice.
好处hǎo chù: A favorable effect or advantage that something brings.
损害sǔn hài: Damage, loss, or another bad effect caused by something.
Definition in Chinese
指涉及各方的利益与损害之间的关系或冲突，用来表示在选择或争论中需要权衡的得失。zhǐ shè jí gè fāng de lì yì yǔ sǔn hài zhī jiān de guān xì huò chōng tū yòng lái biǎo shì zài xuǎn zé huò zhēng lùn zhōng xū yào quán héng de dé shī
Word origin
利害 (lìhài, "benefit and harm") combines 利 (lì, "benefit") + 害 (hài, "harm"), so it refers to the gains and losses at stake in a decision or dispute.
Usage tips
- English often treats each side separately, while Chinese uses this noun to discuss the stakes of a whole decision, making it useful in conversations about choices and disagreements.
Other meanings
- benefitnoun
- costs and benefitsnoun
Related words
- 利害得失lì hài dé shīpros and consnoun
- 利害关系lì hài guān xìinterests involvednoun
- 利害攸关lì hài yōu guānbe at stakeidiom