About
As an associative compound, 益 combines an altered water radical at the top with 皿 (a dish or vessel) at the bottom. The original image is of water rising and overflowing from a container. This physical concept of overflow naturally extended to meanings of abundance, surplus, and having more than enough. From this, the primary sense evolved to denote benefit, advantage, or profit. It can also function as an adverb meaning "increasingly" or "more and more", reflecting the continuous accumulation implied by the original overflowing water.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
运动对身体有益。
学习新知识有益头脑。
环保行为对地球有益。
经常阅读有益于提高词汇量。
均衡饮食对健康大有裨益。
这项政策旨在增进公共利益。
通过合作，双方都能获得利益。
从长远来看，投资教育益处多。