益(えき)

えき
noun
benefit, profit, advantage
1. benefit, profit
Something that is advantageous.
社会(しゃかい)の益(えき)になる。
It benefits society.
益(えき)がある。
There is a benefit.
読書(どくしょ)は自分(じぶん)の益(えき)になる。
Reading is beneficial for oneself.
2. advantage
A favorable position or condition.
公益(こうえき)のために働(はたら)く。
To work for the public good.
それは何(なん)の益(えき)もない。
That is of no benefit whatsoever.
有益(ゆうえき)な情報(じょうほう)を集(あつ)める。
To gather useful information.

益(えき) means benefit, profit, or advantage. Often appears in compound words rather than standalone.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 利益(りえき): profit, benefit, gain
  • 有益(ゆうえき): beneficial, useful, instructive
  • 無益(むえき): useless, futile, pointless
  • 公益(こうえき): public interest, common good
  • 収益(しゅうえき): earnings, proceeds
  • 損益(そんえき): profit and loss
  • 実益(じつえき): practical benefit

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 益々(ますます): more and more, increasingly
  • 益(えき)になる: to be beneficial
  • 益(えき)がある: there is benefit
  • 益(えき)がない: there is no benefit

WORD FORMATION:
The kanji 益(えき) carries the meaning of "increase" or "profit." It appears in many formal and business contexts.

RELATED WORDS:

  • 得(とく): gain, advantage (everyday)
  • 利点(りてん): advantage, merit
  • 利(り): profit, benefit

Related Words

Antonym: 害(がい) (harm)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:03 · Revised 2026.4.11 10:25
02000/02275_eki