利
profit · advantage · benefit
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'grain' (禾) with 'blade' (刂), from cutting rice with a sharp blade. Means sharpness, profit, and convenience.
Symbolism
Symbolizes profit, usefulness, and efficiency. Represents wisdom to advance things favorably and practical value.
Component Breakdown
grain + sword
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一利一害
いちりいちがい
advantages and disadvantages; gain some, lose some
党利党略
とうりとうりゃく
party political interests; partisan politics
薄利多売
はくりたばい
small profits and quick returns
利己主義
りこしゅぎ
egoism; egotism; selfishness
国利民福
こくりみんぷく
national interests and the people's welfare
利用価値
りようかち
utility value
利害得失
りがいとくしつ
advantages and disadvantages; pros and cons
私利私欲
しりしよく
self-interest; selfish desire; greed
現世利益
げんせりやく
benefits gained in this world through observance of the Buddhist teachings; happiness gained in this world through observance of the Buddhist teachings
片利共生
へんりきょうせい
commensalism
Anime & Manga
便利屋斎藤さん、異世界に行く
Handyman Saitou in Another World
A well-known work with 利 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
大久保利通
Name contains 利
Ōkubo Toshimichi was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the Satsuma Domain.
Wikipedia千利休
Name contains 利
Sen no Rikyū , also known simply as Rikyū, was a Japanese tea master considered the most important influence on the Japanese tea ceremony,…
Wikipedia足利義政
Name contains 利
Ashikaga Yoshimasa was a Japanese samurai, daimyo and the eighth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1443 to 1473 during the Muromachi…
Wikipedia毛利元就
Name contains 利
Mōri Motonari was a prominent daimyō in the western Chūgoku region of Japan during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 利 mean in Japanese?
利 means profit, advantage, benefit.
How do you read 利?
On'yomi: リ (RI). Kun'yomi: き.く (kiku).
How many strokes does 利 have?
利 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 刀 (knife).
Is 利 a good kanji for a tattoo?
利 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means profit, advantage, benefit. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.