利(り)

り
noun
profit; benefit; advantage; interest
1. profit; benefit; advantage
A gain or favorable outcome, especially financial profit or practical advantage. Appears frequently as a component in compound words.
利(り)を得(え)る。
To gain a profit.
利(り)と害(がい)を比較(ひかく)して決断(けつだん)する。
Weigh the benefits and drawbacks before making a decision.
利(り)を追(お)うより義(ぎ)を守(まも)れという考(かんが)え方(かた)もある。
There is also the view that one should uphold righteousness rather than chase profit.
2. interest (on a loan or deposit)
Interest paid on borrowed money or earned on savings. Used in financial contexts, particularly in compound nouns.
定期預金(ていきよきん)の利(り)が先月(せんげつ)から上(あ)がった。
The interest on the fixed deposit went up from last month.
低金利(ていきんり)の時代(じだい)は預金(よきん)の利(り)がほとんどつかない。
In an era of low interest rates, deposits earn almost no interest.

Most commonly encountered as a component of compound nouns rather than as a standalone word.

COMMON COMPOUNDS (sense 1 — profit/benefit):

  • 利害(りがい): pros and cons; interests and harms
  • 利益(りえき): profit; benefit
  • 有利(ゆうり): advantageous
  • 不利(ふり): disadvantageous
  • 利口(りこう): clever; bright

COMMON COMPOUNDS (sense 2 — interest):

  • 金利(きんり): interest rate
  • 低金利(ていきんり): low interest rate
  • 利子(りし): interest (on a loan)
general
Added 2026.6.11 20:43
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