公 益(こうえき)

こうえき

noun

public interest; public benefit; public welfare

1. public interest; public benefit; public welfare; common good

The general welfare or benefit of the public as a whole, as opposed to private or individual interests. Frequently used in legal, governmental, and organizational contexts.

公益(こうえき)のために活動(かつどう)する。

To work for the public interest.

この団体(だんたい)は公益(こうえき)法人(ほうじん)として認定(にんてい)されている。

This organization is certified as a public interest corporation.

私利私欲(しりしよく)ではなく公益(こうえき)を優先(ゆうせん)すべきだという議論(ぎろん)が高(たか)まっている。

There is growing debate that public interest should be prioritized over private gain.

Usage

公益(こうえき) combines 公(こう) (public) and 益(えき) (benefit, profit). It is a formal term used in legal and administrative language.

Common collocations

公益(こうえき)法人(ほうじん) (public interest corporation)
公益(こうえき)事業(じぎょう) (public interest enterprise)
公益(こうえき)に資(し)する (to contribute to the public good)
公益(こうえき)を守(まも)る (to protect the public interest)

Similar words

公共(こうきょう)の利益(りえき) means public benefit in a broader sense. 公益(こうえき) is a more concise, formal term often used as a modifier in compound nouns.

Related Words

Related: 公共(こうきょう) (public, communal)

Compare: 非営利(ひえいり) (non-profit)

general

Added 2026.3.9 19:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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