利

lì

刂 + 禾

Definitions

lì (noun) benefit; profit; advantage

lì (adjective) sharp; keen

lì (adjective) beneficial; favorable

lì (verb) to benefit

Etymology

Depicts harvesting grain (禾) with a blade (刂). Harvest was the main source of profit in agricultural societies.

About

利 (lì) combines 禾 (grain) and 刂 (knife), depicting the harvesting of grain with a blade. This image first evoked sharpness, and because a successful harvest was the main source of wealth in agricultural societies, the character also came to mean profit, benefit, and advantage.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这对我有利。

Zhè duì wǒ yǒulì.

This is beneficial to me.

我利用电脑工作。

Wǒ lìyòng diànnǎo gōngzuò.

I use the computer to work.

保护环境是我们的利益。

Bǎohù huánjìng shì wǒmen de lìyì.

Protecting the environment is our interest.

公司今年利润很高。

Gōngsī jīnnián lìrùn hěn gāo.

The company's profit this year is very high.

这把刀非常锋利。

Zhè bǎ dāo fēicháng fēnglì.

This knife is very sharp.

会议进行得很顺利。

Huìyì jìnxíng de hěn shùnlì.

The meeting proceeded very smoothly.

为了长期利益，我们必须投资教育。

Wèile chángqī lìyì, wǒmen bìxū tóuzī jiàoyù.

For long-term benefits, we must invest in education.

利用现代科技可以大大提高生产效率。

Lìyòng xiàndài kējì kěyǐ dàdà tígāo shēngchǎn xiàolǜ.

Using modern technology can greatly improve production efficiency.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 刂

Component: 禾

Example Words