1.
a concrete, material benefit (as opposed to something merely symbolic, emotional, or theoretical)
The actual, substantial gain one obtains from a decision, policy, or action. Stands in contrast to 名目 (nominal, in name only) or 名誉 (honor, prestige). Often used in business, politics, and practical decision-making contexts where the speaker wants to distinguish "real" benefits from superficial or theoretical ones.
実利を取る。
To take the practical benefit (over other considerations).
この政策は国民に実利をもたらす。
This policy brings real benefits to the people.
名誉より実利を選ぶ人も少なくない。
Not a few people choose practical benefit over honor.
新しい契約は派手さこそないが、長期的に見れば会社に大きな実利がある。
The new contract may not be flashy, but in the long run it brings significant practical benefits to the company.
Composed of 実 (real; actual) + 利 (profit; benefit). The pairing contrasts "real profit" with the purely nominal or symbolic, making 実利 a key term in pragmatic decision-making.
CHARACTERISTIC PATTERN — "実利 vs X":
実利 is very often contrasted explicitly with a non-material value:
- 実利 vs 名誉: practical benefit vs honor
- 実利 vs 体面: practical benefit vs saving face
- 実利 vs 理想: practical benefit vs ideals
- 実利 vs 建前: practical benefit vs the official position
A common rhetorical move is to claim one is choosing 実利 — signaling that one is being pragmatic and mature rather than stubbornly principled.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 実利を取る: to take the practical benefit (often after contrasting it with something else)
- 実利を追求する: to pursue practical benefits
- 実利を得る: to obtain a practical benefit
- 実利がある: there is a practical benefit
- 実利重視: emphasis on practical benefits
- 実利主義: pragmatism; utilitarianism (informal sense)
- 実利的: practical; utilitarian
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 利益: profit; benefit — the standard word for any kind of profit, including financial and abstract.
- 得: gain; worthwhileness — a conversational word for "getting something out of it."
- {メリット}: merit; upside — a katakana loanword meaning "benefit" or "advantage," very common in business speech.
- 実利: specifically the tangible, practical subset of benefits; emphasizes contrast with the non-material.
REGISTER:
Written and semi-formal. Common in editorials, business writing, and thoughtful commentary. In everyday conversation, speakers usually say 得 or use {メリット}.