利 (lì) - Sharp & beneficial

利Tone 4

lì ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 刂

俊梁

利 · lì

Sharp;

beneficial;

profit;

advantage;

interest;

favorable;

to benefit;

to gain.

Sharpbeneficialprofit

Usage highlights

SharpProfitBenefitAdvantageInterestConvenient

Synonyms

  • 益— benefit, advantage
  • 惠— favor, benefit
  • 锐— sharp, keen

Antonyms

  • 弊— disadvantage, harm
  • 害— harm, damage
  • 钝— blunt, dull

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This knife is very sharp (锋利).
  • This investment is profitable (有利可图).
  • He works for the benefit of the people (为人民利益).
  • This medicine is effective (利病).

Collocations

  • Sharp(锋利)
  • Profit(利润)
  • Benefit(利益)
  • Advantage(优势)
  • Interest(利息)
  • Convenient(便利)

Idioms

  • Harmony brings wealth(和气生利)
  • Profit at all costs(唯利是图)
  • Take advantage of the situation(因势利导)
  • Benefit the nation and the people(利国利民)
  • Sharpen weapons for battle(厉兵秣马)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, '利' represents both material gain and sharpness, embodying practical wisdom.
  • Confucian philosophy discusses the balance between '利' (profit) and '义' (righteousness).
  • The character appears in many business-related terms, reflecting its economic significance.

FAQ