Readings: リ (Onyomi), き.く (Kunyomi)
Meaning: profit, advantage, benefit, interest
The kanji 利 combines 禾 (grain, harvest) and 刀 (knife/sword). Its original meaning relates to “cutting grain efficiently” or “sharpness,” which evolved to signify “profit,” “advantage,” or “benefit.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 利 has 7 strokes. It starts with the horizontal stroke at the top, followed by the vertical stroke, then the diagonal stroke crossing it, and finally the strokes for the 刀 (katana) radical on the right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 刀 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- リ (Ri)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- き.く (ki.ku)
Common Words Using 利
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 利用 | りよう | use, utilization |
| 便利 | べんり | convenient |
| 有利 | ゆうり | advantageous, favorable |
| 金利 | きんり | interest (on money) |
| 権利 | けんり | right, privilege |
| 利点 | りてん | advantage, strong point |
| 利口 | りこう | clever, smart |
| 利害 | りがい | interests, pros and cons |
| 利子 | りし | interest (on a loan/deposit) |
| 営利 | えいり | profit-making, commercial |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 利き手 | ききて | dominant hand |
| 利く | きく | to be effective, to work (often used with other kanji like 効く, but 利く can be used in some contexts, e.g., “brakes work”) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この電車はとても便利です。
Kana: このでんしゃはとてもべんりです。
Romaji: Kono densha wa totemo benri desu.
English: This train is very convenient.
Japanese: 彼は会社の利益に貢献しました。
Kana: かれはかいしゃのりえきにこうけんしました。
Romaji: Kare wa kaisha no rieki ni kōken shimashita.
English: He contributed to the company’s profit.
Japanese: この道具は色々な目的に利用できます。
Kana: このどうぐはいろいろなもくてきにりようできます。
Romaji: Kono dōgu wa iroiro na mokuteki ni riyō dekimasu.
English: This tool can be used for various purposes.
Japanese: この投資は将来的に有利だろう。
Kana: このとうしはしょうらいてきにゆうりだろう。
Romaji: Kono tōshi wa shōrai-teki ni yūri darō.
English: This investment will probably be advantageous in the future.
Japanese: 銀行の金利が上がった。
Kana: ぎんこうのきんりがあがった。
Romaji: Ginkō no kinri ga agatta.
English: The bank’s interest rate has gone up.
Japanese: すべての国民には教育を受ける権利がある。
Kana: すべてのこくみんにはきょういくをうけるけんりがある。
Romaji: Subete no kokumin ni wa kyōiku o ukeru kenri ga aru.
English: All citizens have the right to receive education.
Japanese: この製品の利点は何ですか。
Kana: このせいひんのりてんはなんですか。
Romaji: Kono seihin no riten wa nan desu ka.
English: What are the advantages of this product?
Japanese: 彼はとても利口な子供です。
Kana: かれはとてもりこうなこどもです。
Romaji: Kare wa totemo rikou na kodomo desu.
English: He is a very clever child.
Japanese: 経済の利害が一致しない。
Kana: けいざいのりがいがいっちしない。
Romaji: Keizai no rigai ga icchi shinai.
English: Economic interests do not align.
Japanese: 彼女は利き手で字を書きます。
Kana: かのじょはききてでじをかきます。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kikite de ji o kakimasu.
English: She writes with her dominant hand.
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