音読み: リ
訓読み: きく
画数: 7 strokes
部首: 刂（りっとう）
Meaning
Advantage, Benefit, Profit, Effective — This character often refers to usefulness, sharpness (like a blade), or economic gain. It also conveys ideas of being efficient or effective.
- 利点 — advantage, benefit
- 便利 — convenience
- 利子 — interest (on money)
- 有利 — advantageous
- 利益 — profit, gain
- 権利 — right, privilege
The left part of 利 (禾) relates to grain or crops, and the right part (刂) is a knife. Together, they imply “cutting grain” — representing harvest, sharpness, or benefit. That’s why this kanji is used for things that are useful, profitable, or advantageous.
便利な道具を使っています。
I use a convenient tool.
この方法は 非常に有利です。
This method is very advantageous.
🎧 The main reading is リ (ri). The kun-yomi きく (“to be effective”) appears in a few native words. This kanji is very common in compound terms across economics, rights, and practical use.