Chinese word

利弊

Pronunciation

Pinyinlì bì

Meaning

  • nounpros and cons

Example

我们要权衡利弊再决定。wǒ men yào quán héng lì bì zài jué dìng

We need to weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

Illustration for 利弊 (pros and cons)

More examples

这种做法的利弊很快就能显现。zhè zhǒng zuò fǎ de lì bì hěn kuài jiù néng xiǎn xiàn

The pros and cons of this approach will soon become clear.

Core concept

A balanced view that sets possible gains against possible harm before a decision.

Common phrases

  • 权衡利弊quán héng lì bì

    weigh the pros and cons

  • 比较利弊bǐ jiào lì bì

    compare the pros and cons

Similar words

好处hǎo chù: A benefit or good effect that something provides.
坏处huài chù: A harmful part or bad effect of something.
优点yōu diǎn: A good quality or strong feature of a person or thing.
缺点quē diǎn: A bad quality or weak feature of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

表示对某件事的有利方面与不利方面的总体看法，经常用于需要比较和衡量的情境。biǎo shì duì mǒu jiàn shì de yǒu lì fāng miàn yǔ bú lì fāng miàn de zóng tǐ kàn fǎ jīng cháng yòng yú xū yào bǐ jiào hé héng liáng de qíng jìng

Word origin

The compound joins 利 (lì, "benefit") with 弊 (bì, "harm"), so its form gathers the favorable and unfavorable sides of one matter.

Usage tips

  • This noun is especially useful in practical discussions of choices, where Chinese often places it directly after verbs meaning weigh, consider, or analyze.

Word lists with this word