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A2 noun #3,000 most common 8 min read

盈利

yingli Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 盈利 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 盈利 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 盈利 (yínglì) as 'extra money.' Imagine you buy a toy for 10 yuan and sell it to a friend for 15 yuan. That 5 yuan extra is your 盈利. It is the money you 'win' or 'keep' after you pay for what you sold. In very simple Chinese, people might just say '赚钱' (zhuànqián - making money), but 盈利 is the more 'grown-up' word for it. You might hear it in simple stories about shops or markets. To remember it, think of 盈 (yíng) as 'full' and 利 (lì) as 'benefit.' When your pocket is full of benefits, you have 盈利! You don't need to use this word in complex sentences yet. Just knowing that it means 'profit' is a great start. For example: '商店有盈利' (The store has profit).

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 盈利 (yínglì) to describe basic business situations. You are now moving beyond just 'making money' and starting to talk about businesses. You can use it as a noun to describe the result of a sale or a small business project. For example, '这个月的盈利很多' (This month's profit is a lot). You can also start to recognize it in simple news headlines or advertisements. At this level, it's important to distinguish 盈利 from 收入 (income). 收入 is all the money you get, but 盈利 is only the part you keep after paying costs. If you sell lemonade, the money people give you is 收入, but after you pay for the lemons and sugar, what's left is your 盈利. This distinction is key for basic financial literacy in Chinese.

At the B1 level, you can use 盈利 (yínglì) in more formal and professional contexts. You should be able to describe a company's financial health. Common phrases like '实现盈利' (to achieve profitability) and '盈利模式' (profit model) become very useful. You might discuss why a certain business is successful or why it is failing. For instance, '因为成本太高，公司很难盈利' (Because the costs are too high, the company finds it hard to make a profit). You are also expected to understand the difference between 盈利 and 利润 (lìrùn - profit margin/technical profit). 盈利 is often used to describe the overall state of being profitable, while 利润 is used when talking about specific numbers and percentages in an accounting sense.

At the B2 level, 盈利 (yínglì) is a word you will use frequently in debates, presentations, and written reports. you should be comfortable discussing '盈利能力' (profitability/earning capacity) and '盈利预期' (profit expectations). You can analyze market trends and explain how external factors like inflation or competition affect a firm's 盈利. For example, '在全球经济衰退的背景下，维持盈利是一项巨大的挑战' (In the context of a global economic recession, maintaining profitability is a huge challenge). You should also be able to use the word in its adjectival form, such as in '非盈利机构' (non-profit organization), and discuss the social responsibilities of corporations versus their 盈利 motives. Your vocabulary should now include related terms like '扭亏为盈' (turning a loss into a profit).

At the C1 level, your use of 盈利 (yínglì) should be precise and nuanced. You should be able to read and summarize complex financial statements where 盈利 is broken down into various categories. You can discuss '净盈利' (net profit) versus '毛盈利' (gross profit) and understand the fiscal implications of each. You might engage in high-level discussions about '盈利质量' (quality of earnings)—whether a company's profits come from its core business or from one-time accounting tricks. Your sentences will be more complex: '尽管账面上实现了盈利，但其现金流状况依然令人担忧' (Despite achieving a profit on paper, its cash flow situation remains worrying). You should also be familiar with the historical and etymological roots of the characters to appreciate the word's deeper connotations in Chinese economic thought.

At the C2 level, 盈利 (yínglì) is a concept you can deconstruct and analyze from philosophical, legal, and macroeconomic perspectives. You can discuss the '盈利驱动型增长' (profit-driven growth) and its impact on social equity. You might write academic papers or give keynote speeches where 盈利 is contrasted with '可持续发展' (sustainable development) or '社会价值' (social value). You understand the subtle differences between 盈利 and related legal terms in different Chinese-speaking jurisdictions (like Mainland China vs. Taiwan or Hong Kong). You can use the word in highly sophisticated idioms and classical references. At this level, 盈利 is not just a financial metric; it is a lens through which you analyze the motivations of human behavior and the structural dynamics of global civilizations.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

盈利 in 30 Seconds

盈利 (yínglì) is the formal Chinese term for 'profit' or 'earnings,' commonly used in business, finance, and professional contexts to describe financial success.
It can function as both a noun and a verb, meaning either the 'amount of profit' or 'the act of making a profit' respectively.
The word consists of '盈' (surplus) and '利' (benefit), highlighting the concept of having more than what was originally invested or spent.
It is essential for discussing company performance, investment returns, and the general health of an economy in a professional or academic setting.

The word 盈利 (yínglì) is a fundamental term in the Chinese language, specifically within the realms of commerce, finance, and everyday economics. At its core, it represents the concept of 'profit' or 'gain'—the positive difference between the amount earned and the amount spent in operating a business or performing a transaction. While it is often used as a noun to mean 'earnings,' it can also function as a verb meaning 'to make a profit.' Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to navigate the Chinese business world or simply discuss personal finances. The first character, 盈 (yíng), conveys the idea of fullness, abundance, or surplus. Historically, it depicted a vessel filled to the brim with water, suggesting that something has exceeded its capacity. The second character, 利 (lì), represents benefit, advantage, or profit. It is composed of the radicals for 'grain' and 'knife,' symbolizing the harvest—the ultimate benefit of agricultural labor. Together, they form a powerful term for the 'surplus benefit' generated by economic activity.

Business Context: In a corporate setting, 盈利 refers to the net income of a company. It is the primary goal of any commercial enterprise. For example, when a tech startup finally moves from 'burning cash' to making money, they have 'achieved profitability' (实现盈利).
Investment Context: When discussing stocks or real estate, 盈利 refers to the capital gains or dividends earned by the investor. It is the 'return' on their initial investment.
Everyday Life: Even in casual conversation, if you sell your old phone for more than you expected, you might describe that extra money as your 盈利.

这家公司去年实现了扭亏为盈利。(This company turned from loss to profit last year.)

In modern China, the concept of 盈利 is often discussed in the context of the 'Internet Economy.' Many platforms prioritize user growth over 盈利 in their early stages, leading to intense debates about sustainability. When a company is described as having 'strong 盈利 capability' (盈利能力强), it suggests a healthy, sustainable business model. Furthermore, the term is not limited to monetary gain. In some abstract contexts, it can refer to any kind of surplus or gain, though its financial meaning is by far the most dominant. Whether you are reading a financial report, watching the news, or negotiating a deal, 盈利 is the yardstick by which success is measured. It represents the reward for risk-taking and the engine of economic growth.

我们的目标是提高每季度的盈利额。(Our goal is to increase the profit amount each quarter.)

Using 盈利 correctly requires understanding its grammatical versatility. It can act as a noun (profit), a verb (to make a profit), or an attributive adjective (profitable). When used as a noun, it often follows verbs like 获得 (huòdé - to obtain), 实现 (shíxiàn - to achieve), or 达到 (dádào - to reach). When used as a verb, it describes the action of the business itself. For example, 'The company is profiting' can be translated as '公司正在盈利'.

Noun Usage: 公司今年的盈利超出了预期。(The company's profit this year exceeded expectations.) Here, 盈利 is the subject of the sentence.
Verb Usage: 多数初创企业在第一年很难盈利。(Most startups find it hard to make a profit in their first year.) Here, 盈利 is the predicate.
Adjectival Usage: 这是一个非盈利组织。(This is a non-profit organization.) In this case, it modifies the noun 'organization'.

通过降低成本，我们实现了盈利。(By reducing costs, we achieved profitability.)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the scale of the profit. You can use modifiers like 丰厚的 (fēnghòu de - generous/substantial) or 微薄的 (wēibó de - meager/thin). For instance, '丰厚的盈利' (substantial profit) sounds much more professional than just '很多钱' (a lot of money). In formal reports, you will often see 盈利 compared with the previous year (同比) or the previous quarter (环比). This comparative structure is vital for financial analysis. Another common pattern is '以盈利为目的' (with profit as the goal), which is used to define the nature of a commercial entity.

该项目的盈利模式非常清晰。(The profit model of this project is very clear.)

You will encounter 盈利 in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from high-stakes boardroom meetings to casual news broadcasts. If you watch CCTV Finance (CCTV-2), you will hear this word dozens of times per hour. Analysts use it to describe the performance of the Shanghai Composite Index or the earnings reports of giants like Tencent and Alibaba. In the tech world, '盈利' is the holy grail. Founders are constantly asked, '什么时候能盈利？' (When can you make a profit?). This question is central to the survival of any venture-backed business.

新闻报道：该公司连续五个季度保持盈利。(News report: The company has maintained profitability for five consecutive quarters.)

In the context of the 'Gig Economy,' individual sellers on platforms like Taobao or Xiaohongshu often discuss their 盈利. They might share tips on how to increase their '盈利空间' (profit margin/room for profit) by sourcing cheaper materials or optimizing logistics. In schools and universities, students learning 'Economics 101' (经济学原理) will study '盈利最大化' (profit maximization) as a core principle of microeconomics. Even in the public sector, the distinction between '盈利性机构' (for-profit institutions) and '非盈利性机构' (non-profit institutions) is a common topic of policy debate, especially regarding hospitals and schools.

Office Meetings: '我们需要重新评估盈利计划。' (We need to re-evaluate the profit plan.)
News Headlines: '全球旅游业恢复盈利。' (The global tourism industry returns to profitability.)

老板问：这个月我们的盈利情况如何？(Boss asks: How is our profit situation this month?)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 盈利 (yínglì) with 赢利 (yínglì). Yes, they are pronounced exactly the same! While they are often used interchangeably in modern Chinese, there is a subtle distinction. 盈利 (with the 'surplus' character 盈) is the standard term in accounting and formal business, referring to the net profit. 赢利 (with the 'win' character 赢) focuses more on the act of 'winning' or 'gaining' a profit. In most professional contexts, stick to 盈利 to avoid looking like a novice.

错误用法：我有很大的盈利钱。(Incorrect: I have a lot of profit money.)

Another mistake is treating 盈利 as a simple transitive verb like 'make'. In English, we say 'make a profit.' In Chinese, you shouldn't say '做盈利' (zuò yínglì). Instead, use '实现盈利' (achieve profit) or '获得盈利' (obtain profit). Also, beginners often confuse 盈利 with 收入 (shōurù - income/revenue). Remember: Revenue (收入) is all the money coming in, while Profit (盈利) is what remains after expenses are paid. Using 收入 when you mean 盈利 can lead to significant misunderstandings in financial discussions.

Mistake 1: Redundancy: Saying '盈利的利润' is redundant because both words mean profit. Just use one or the other depending on the level of technicality required.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Collocation: Using '增加盈利' (increase profit) is correct, but '增长盈利' is slightly awkward. '增长' is usually for rates or amounts (盈利增长), not the direct object.

Chinese has several words for profit and gain, and choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality. Here is a comparison of 盈利 with its most common synonyms.

利润 (lìrùn): This is the most technical term. It specifically refers to 'profit margin' or the line item on a balance sheet. Use this when discussing accounting specifics. Example: 净利润 (Net Profit).
收益 (shōuyì): This means 'earnings' or 'benefits.' It is broader than 盈利 and can include non-monetary gains or interest from investments. Example: 投资收益 (Investment returns).
赚钱 (zhuànqián): This is the colloquial, everyday way to say 'make money.' Use this with friends or in informal settings. Example: 他做生意很赚钱。(He makes a lot of money doing business.)
红利 (hónglì): This means 'dividend' or 'bonus.' It is often used metaphorically to describe a beneficial period, like '人口红利' (demographic dividend).

对比：
1. 我们的盈利很好。(Our profitability is good - General)
2. 我们的利润率是20%。(Our profit margin is 20% - Technical)

When deciding which word to use, consider your audience. In a report to shareholders, 盈利 and 利润 are mandatory. In a conversation about why you started a side hustle, 赚钱 is more natural. If you are talking about the long-term benefits of a policy, 收益 might be the best fit. Mastering these nuances will make your Chinese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 利 (lì) is one of the most positive characters in Chinese culture, appearing in many names to wish the person a 'beneficial' or 'smooth' life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jɪŋ.liː/

US /jɪŋ.li/

Second syllable (lì) is sharply enunciated due to the 4th tone.

Rhymes With

明利 (mínglì) 胜利 (shènglì) 权力 (quánlì) 精力 (jīnglì) 名利 (mínglì) 并力 (bìnglì) 定力 (dìnglì) 听力 (tīnglì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yíng' as 'yǐng' (3rd tone), which changes the meaning.
Pronouncing 'lì' as 'lǐ' (3rd tone), making it sound like 'inside'.
Merging the two sounds into a flat tone.
Mistaking the 'y' for a hard 'j' sound.
Over-nasalizing the 'ng' in 'yíng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are common but 盈 is slightly more complex for beginners.

Writing 3/5

Writing 盈 requires careful attention to the top part and the vessel radical below.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but tones must be precise to avoid confusion.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in business news and financial contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

钱公司买卖多

Learn Next

利润成本收入支出投资

Advanced

边际效应财务报表扭亏为盈资产负债表现金流

Grammar to Know

Using '为' for purpose

以盈利为目的。

Resultative complements

扭亏为盈。

Measure words for money

一笔盈利。

Adverbial modifiers

持续盈利。

Noun compounding

盈利模式。

Examples by Level

我的小店有盈利。

My small shop has profit.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object.

我们要盈利。

We want to make a profit.

Using 盈利 as a verb.

盈利是五块钱。

The profit is five yuan.

盈利 as a noun subject.

他没有盈利。

He does not have profit.

Negative form with 没有.

盈利多吗？

Is the profit a lot?

Simple question with 吗.

这里的盈利很高。

The profit here is very high.

Using 很 to modify the state.

卖衣服有盈利。

Selling clothes has profit.

Gerund-like subject (selling clothes).

一天的盈利。

One day's profit.

Noun phrase with 的.

这家公司去年没有盈利。

This company did not make a profit last year.

Time adverb 去年 + negative.

我们的盈利增加了。

Our profit has increased.

Verb 增加 indicating change.

他希望能获得更多盈利。

He hopes to obtain more profit.

Verb 获得 + 盈利.

盈利情况不太好。

The profit situation is not very good.

Compound noun 盈利情况.

这个项目很难盈利。

This project is hard to make a profit from.

Degree adverb 很 + adjective 难 + verb 盈利.

你计算过盈利吗？

Have you calculated the profit?

Verb 计算 + aspect marker 过.

这是一笔不小的盈利。

This is a significant profit.

Measure word 笔 for sums of money.

为了盈利，他工作很努力。

In order to make a profit, he works very hard.

Purpose clause with 为了.

公司终于实现了季度盈利。

The company finally achieved quarterly profitability.

Formal verb 实现.

提高盈利是我们的首要任务。

Increasing profit is our primary task.

Noun phrase as subject.

该产品的盈利空间很大。

The profit margin for this product is very large.

Term 盈利空间 (profit margin/room).

我们需要改变盈利模式。

We need to change the profit model.

Term 盈利模式 (business model).

尽管收入很高，但并没有盈利。

Despite high revenue, there was no profit.

Conjunction 尽管...但... (Despite... but...).

他的投资已经开始盈利了。

His investment has already started to turn a profit.

Aspect marker 了 indicating a new state.

这家超市的盈利非常稳定。

This supermarket's profit is very stable.

Adjective 稳定.

非盈利组织不以赚钱为目的。

Non-profit organizations do not aim to make money.

Term 非盈利 (non-profit).

公司的盈利能力受到了质疑。

The company's profitability has been called into question.

Passive structure 受到...质疑.

扭亏为盈是今年的主要目标。

Turning a loss into a profit is the main goal this year.

Idiom 扭亏为盈.

盈利增长速度超出了分析师的预期。

The profit growth rate exceeded analysts' expectations.

Compound noun 盈利增长速度.

该行业正面临盈利下滑的风险。

The industry is facing the risk of declining profits.

Verb 面临 (to face) + noun phrase.

我们必须寻找新的盈利增长点。

We must find new sources of profit growth.

Term 盈利增长点.

盈利水平取决于市场需求。

The profit level depends on market demand.

Verb 取决于 (depends on).

公司决定将部分盈利投入研发。

The company decided to invest part of the profit into R&D.

把/将 structure for disposal.

盈利报告将在下周一公布。

The earnings report will be released next Monday.

Passive-leaning verb 公布.

该公司的盈利质量得到了显著提升。

The quality of the company's earnings has significantly improved.

Term 盈利质量 (quality of earnings).

盈利预测的准确性对投资者至关重要。

The accuracy of profit forecasts is crucial for investors.

Adverbial phrase 至关重要.

通过剥离非核心业务，公司实现了扭亏为盈利。

By divesting non-core businesses, the company achieved a turnaround to profitability.

Prepositional phrase 通过... (By means of...).

盈利的持续性是评估企业价值的关键。

The sustainability of profit is key to evaluating enterprise value.

Noun 持续性 (sustainability).

宏观经济政策直接影响企业的盈利环境。

Macroeconomic policies directly affect the profit environment of enterprises.

Complex subject and direct object.

我们需要警惕那些依靠会计手段实现的“虚假盈利”。

We need to be wary of 'fake profits' achieved through accounting methods.

Relative clause with 那些...的.

盈利分配方案需经股东大会批准。

The profit distribution plan must be approved by the shareholders' meeting.

Formal passive structure 需经...批准.

该项目的盈利前景依然不明朗。

The profit prospects for the project remain unclear.

Adjective 不明朗 (unclear/ambiguous).

盈利动机与社会责任之间的博弈从未停止。

The gamble between profit motive and social responsibility has never ceased.

Term 博弈 (game/gambling/interplay).

在全球化背景下，跨国公司的盈利策略日益复杂。

In the context of globalization, the profit strategies of multinational corporations are increasingly complex.

Adverbial phrase 在...背景下.

资本的逐利本质决定了其对盈利的极致追求。

The profit-seeking nature of capital determines its extreme pursuit of profit.

Philosophical subject 资本的逐利本质.

该理论探讨了盈利在资源配置中的核心作用。

The theory explores the core role of profit in resource allocation.

Formal verb 探讨.

盈利的边际效应递减规律在此时尤为明显。

The law of diminishing marginal returns on profit is particularly evident at this time.

Technical term 边际效应递减.

企业不应仅仅将盈利视为唯一度量衡。

Enterprises should not merely view profit as the sole measure.

Metaphor 度量衡 (measure/standard).

盈利的波动性反映了市场内在的不稳定性。

The volatility of profit reflects the inherent instability of the market.

Noun 波动性 (volatility).

通过优化资本结构，该集团旨在最大化股东盈利。

By optimizing its capital structure, the group aims to maximize shareholder earnings.

Verb 旨在 (aims to).

Common Collocations

实现盈利

盈利能力

盈利模式

盈利预测

扭亏为盈

盈利增长

非盈利

持续盈利

季度盈利

巨额盈利

Common Phrases

盈利丰厚

— Profits are abundant and generous.

这个项目的盈利丰厚。

盈利微薄

— Profits are very small or thin.

由于竞争激烈，盈利微薄。

盈利点

— A specific source or factor that generates profit.

我们需要找到新的盈利点。

盈利状况

— The state or condition of a business's profitability.

目前的盈利状况良好。

盈利指标

— Metrics used to measure profit.

我们达到了所有的盈利指标。

盈利回落

— Profits have decreased from a previous high.

由于市场波动，盈利有所回落。

盈利分成

— The distribution or sharing of profits.

他们达成了盈利分成协议。

盈利目标

— The specific amount of profit a company aims to make.

我们离盈利目标还有距离。

盈利预警

— A warning that profits will be lower than expected.

公司发布了盈利预警。

盈利周期

— The time it takes for a project to become profitable.

该行业的盈利周期较长。

Often Confused With

盈利 vs 收入

Revenue is the total money in; Profit is what's left after costs.

盈利 vs 赢利

Homophone; 盈利 is the standard for accounting, 赢利 is more general 'gain'.

盈利 vs 赢

To win a game, whereas 盈利 is specific to financial gain.

Idioms & Expressions

"扭亏为盈"

— To turn a loss into a profit. Commonly used for struggling companies.

经过改革，工厂终于扭亏为盈。

Formal

"利欲熏心"

— Blinded by greed for profit. Negative connotation.

他利欲熏心，竟然做出这种事。

Literary

"唯利是图"

— To be guided only by profit; greedy.

他是一个唯利是图的小人。

Pejorative

"一本万利"

— To make a huge profit from a small investment.

这种生意简直是一本万利。

Informal

"见利忘义"

— To forget justice or righteousness when seeing profit.

在金钱面前，他见利忘义。

Moralistic

"获利匪浅"

— To gain a lot (not always money, can be knowledge).

这次讲座让我获利匪浅。

Polite/Formal

"互利互惠"

— Mutually beneficial and profitable.

我们希望达成互利互惠的合作。

Diplomatic/Business

"利大于弊"

— The benefits (profits) outweigh the disadvantages.

总的来说，这个计划利大于弊。

Analytical

"无利可图"

— No profit to be made; not worth doing.

这件事无利可图，别做了。

Common

"名利双收"

— To gain both fame and profit.

他凭借这部电影名利双收。

Common

Easily Confused

盈利 vs 利润

Both mean profit.

利润 is technical (profit margin); 盈利 is broader (profitability).

利润率 (profit rate) vs 盈利能力 (profitability capacity).

盈利 vs 收益

Both involve gain.

收益 includes non-monetary benefits and interest; 盈利 is strictly business profit.

投资收益 (investment return).

盈利 vs 盈余

Both mean surplus.

盈余 is what is left over in a budget; 盈利 is the result of business activity.

财政盈余 (fiscal surplus).

盈利 vs 红利

Both are positive returns.

红利 is a dividend paid out to shareholders; 盈利 is the total profit of the entity.

发放红利 (distribute dividends).

盈利 vs 赚钱

Common meaning.

赚钱 is a verb phrase (to make money); 盈利 is a formal noun/verb (profit).

他很赚钱 (He makes money) vs 公司盈利 (The company profits).

Sentence Patterns

S + 有 + 盈利

商店有盈利。

S + 很难 + 盈利

这个项目很难盈利。

S + 实现了 + 盈利

公司实现了盈利。

盈利 + 增加了 / 减少了

盈利增加了。

以 + 盈利 + 为目的

他以盈利为目的。

扭亏为盈

企业终于扭亏为盈。

盈利 + 受到 + ... + 影响

盈利受到市场影响。

盈利的 + 边际效应

盈利的边际效应在递减。

Word Family

Nouns

盈利额

盈利点

盈利性

非盈利

Verbs

盈利

获利

套利

Adjectives

盈利的

多利的

有利的

利润

收益

收入

支出

成本

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in business and news media.

Common Mistakes

Using 盈利 to mean personal income. → 使用 '收入' 或 '工资'。
盈利 is for business profit, not your monthly paycheck.
Saying '我有盈利钱'。 → 我有盈利。
盈利 itself means profit; adding '钱' (money) is redundant and incorrect grammar.
Confusing 盈利 (profit) with 收入 (revenue). → 盈利 = 收入 - 成本。
If you say a company has high 盈利 when you mean high 收入, you might be hiding the fact that they are losing money!
Writing 赢利 in a formal accounting report. → 使用 '盈利'。
While they sound the same, 盈利 is the standard professional character for accounting.
Using 盈利 as a direct object for '做' (to do). → 实现盈利。
You don't 'do' profit; you 'achieve' or 'realize' it.

Tips

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say '盈利的利润'. Both words cover the same concept. Choose one based on how technical you want to be.

Pair with 实现

The most common verb to use with 盈利 is 实现 (shíxiàn - to achieve). '公司实现了盈利' sounds very professional.

Tone Practice

Practice the transition from the rising 2nd tone (yíng) to the falling 4th tone (lì). It should sound like a small jump up followed by a sharp drop.

Business Etiquette

When asking about a company's success, asking '盈利如何？' is more polite and professional than '赚了多少钱？'.

Character Detail

Make sure the top of 盈 (yíng) doesn't look like 乃. It has a specific shape with a stroke through the middle.

Financial News

Listen for '扭亏为盈' in news reports about the economy; it’s a very common way to describe a recovery.

Adjectival Use

Remember that '非盈利' (non-profit) is a set phrase. You don't need '的' between them.

Context Clues

If you see numbers and percentages near 盈利, it's likely referring to the profit amount or growth rate.

New Year Wishes

While 盈利 is formal, the character 利 is part of many auspicious New Year phrases. Keep an eye out for it!

Compound Terms

Learn '盈利能力' (profitability) as a single unit. It’s used in almost every business analysis.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

YING sounds like 'win'. LI sounds like 'lee' (benefit). To WIN a LEE (benefit) is to make a PROFIT.

Visual Association

Imagine a bowl (盈) overflowing with golden coins, and a sharp knife (利) neatly cutting a piece of the harvest for you.

Word Web

Business Money Success Company Earnings Growth Investment Market

Challenge

Try to use 盈利 in three different sentences today: once about a shop, once about a stock, and once about a non-profit.

Word Origin

The word 盈利 combines two ancient characters. 盈 (yíng) dates back to oracle bone script, depicting a vessel overflowing with water, representing 'fullness' or 'surplus'. 利 (lì) originally showed a knife (刂) next to grain (禾), representing the harvest or the benefit derived from farming. Together, they form the concept of a 'surplus benefit'.

Original meaning: A surplus of grain or goods beyond what is needed for survival.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Avoid focusing solely on 盈利 when discussing social services like healthcare or education in China, as 'non-profit' (非盈利) status is highly valued there.

In English, 'profit' can sometimes have a greedy connotation. In Chinese, 盈利 is generally neutral or positive in a professional context.

Used frequently in the 'China Business News' (第一财经). Central to the 'Wealth of Nations' (国富论) Chinese translation. Commonly found in the 'Company Law of the PRC'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meeting

讨论盈利
提高盈利
盈利报告
盈利分析

Stock Market

盈利预期
盈利回落
每股盈利
盈利增长

Startup Pitch

盈利模式
实现盈利
盈利潜力
非盈利

Personal Finance

投资盈利
计算盈利
获得盈利
盈利多少

News Broadcast

全球盈利
季度盈利
盈利下滑
保持盈利

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个项目的盈利模式清晰吗？"

"这家公司什么时候能实现盈利？"

"你最近的投资盈利如何？"

"为什么很多互联网公司早期不考虑盈利？"

"你认为盈利是企业唯一的目的吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你第一次赚到盈利的经历。

如果你有一家公司，你会如何平衡盈利和社会责任？

描述一个你认为盈利能力很强的生意。

分析一下为什么有些公司收入很高却不盈利。

讨论一下非盈利组织在社会中的作用。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

They are homophones (yínglì). 盈利 is the standard term in accounting and formal business. 赢利 is slightly more informal and emphasizes the 'winning' of a gain. In professional writing, always use 盈利.

No, for salary, use '工资' (gōngzī) or '收入' (shōurù). 盈利 is for business profit or investment gains.

It can be both. As a noun: '盈利很高' (Profit is high). As a verb: '公司开始盈利' (The company started to profit).

You say '非盈利' (fēi yínglì), as in '非盈利组织' (non-profit organization).

It's a common idiom meaning 'to turn a loss into a profit.' It's often used when a struggling company becomes successful.

Yes, but they sometimes prefer '獲利' (huòlì) in certain financial contexts, though 盈利 is universally understood.

No, that sounds unnatural. Use '实现盈利' (achieve profit) or '获得盈利' (obtain profit).

利润 (lìrùn) is more technical, like 'profit margin' in accounting. 盈利 is more general, like 'profitability'.

Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for financial profit. For other gains, use '获益' (huòyì) or '收获' (shōuhuò).

Yes, it is essential for anyone reading news or doing business in China.