利益 meaning in English

利益 is a fairly formal noun used for the interests of people, groups, companies or countries. It often follows a possessive or a modifier, as in 国家利益 (guójiā lìyì, national interests) or 个人利益 (gèrén lìyì, personal interests). Example: 我们要保护消费者的利益。(Wǒmen yào bǎohù xiāofèizhě de lìyì.) We need to protect consumers' interests.

Both characters point to gain. 利 (lì) means profit or advantage, as in 有利 (yǒulì), and 益 (yì) means benefit or increase. Put two kinds of gain together and you get 利益, the benefits or interests someone has at stake.

Common mistake: Learners often confuse 利益 (lìyì, interests or benefits) with 权利 (quánlì, rights), because both contain 利. 利益 is what you gain or stand to lose, while 权利 is what you are entitled to. Also, 利益 never means interest in the sense of a hobby. That word is 兴趣 (xìngqù).