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道Nihongo Path
利

利·profit, advantage, benefit

On-yomi
リ
Kun-yomi
きく

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
便利べんりconvenient
利用りようuse, utilization
有利ゆうりadvantageous
利益りえきprofit, benefit

Example sentences

  1. このアプリはとても便利です。

    このアプリはとてもべんりです。

    This app is very convenient.

  2. 毎日地下鉄を利用しています。

    まいにちちかてつをりようしています。

    I use the subway every day.

  3. その条件はこちらに有利だ。

    そのじょうけんはこちらにゆうりだ。

    Those terms are advantageous to us.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Using 利用する for people as objects when you mean 使う — 利用する suits services and facilities
  • Reading 利益 as *りやく in business contexts — りやく is a religious blessing (ご利益)

Memory aid

Picture it

A knife (刂) cutting the rice plant (禾) at harvest — bringing in the gain.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 利 mean?