The word 利益 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a single, unified concept. The first character, 利, originally depicted grain being cut with a knife, conveying the core ideas of "sharpness" and, by extension, "advantage" or "profit". The second character, 益, initially depicted water overflowing from a vessel, symbolizing "increase", "overflow", and "benefit". When fused, 利益 metaphorically represents the idea of an "advantage that increases or overflows", crystallizing into the abstract notion of "benefit", "profit", or "interest" , something that is gainful and advantageous.