At the A1 level, the word '盈利性' (yínglìxìng) is too advanced for daily conversation. However, you can understand it by looking at its parts. '利' (lì) is often related to 'interest' or 'benefit,' and '性' (xìng) is like '-ness' in English. For now, think of it as a very big, fancy word for 'making money.' You won't need to say this word when buying apples or asking for directions. Instead, you would use simple words like '钱' (qián - money) or '好' (hǎo - good). Imagine a business that is 'good' because it makes a lot of money; that 'goodness' is what '盈利性' describes. It is a word for bosses and people who work in big offices. If you see it, just remember it means 'the ability to make a profit.'
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn about work and business. '盈利性' (yínglìxìng) is a noun that means 'profitability.' You might see it in a simple news headline or a basic business textbook. It is made of '盈利' (to make profit) and '性' (nature/quality). So, it's the 'nature of making profit.' You can use it in a simple sentence like '这个生意有盈利性' (This business has profitability), but it's more common to say '这个生意赚钱' (This business makes money). A2 learners should focus on recognizing the '性' suffix, as it appears in many other words like '重要性' (importance). If a company is '盈利性' high, it means they are doing a good job with their money. It's a formal way to talk about success in business.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use '盈利性' (yínglìxìng) in professional or academic contexts. This word is essential if you want to talk about the economy or your company's performance. It is a noun, so you can say '盈利性很高' (profitability is high) or '提高盈利性' (to improve profitability). At this level, you should distinguish it from '利润' (lìrùn), which is the actual profit amount. '盈利性' is the abstract quality of being able to generate that profit. You might hear this in a meeting where people are discussing whether a new project is worth the time and money. It's a key word for HSK 3 and 4 students who are moving into more specialized topics. Remember, it's a formal word, so use it when you want to sound professional.
At the B2 level, '盈利性' (yínglìxìng) should be a standard part of your business vocabulary. You should understand how it fits into complex sentence structures, such as '评估项目的盈利性' (evaluating the profitability of a project) or '盈利性受多种因素影响' (profitability is affected by various factors). You should also be aware of its collocations, like '长期盈利性' (long-term profitability) and '盈利性指标' (profitability indicators). At this level, you can use it to contrast different business strategies. For example, you might discuss how a company prioritizes market share over immediate profitability. You should also be able to read financial news where this word appears frequently to describe market trends or corporate health. It is a very common word in the HSK 5 curriculum.
At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of '盈利性' (yínglìxìng) in deep financial and legal contexts. You should be able to distinguish between '盈利' (actual profit) and '营利' (the intent to profit), especially in the context of '非营利组织' (non-profit organizations). You should also be comfortable using '盈利性' in high-level analytical discussions, such as the 'DuPont Analysis' or when discussing 'structural profitability' (结构性盈利性). You can use it as a subject in complex arguments about economic policy or corporate governance. For instance, you might argue that '过度追求短期盈利性会导致企业创新动力不足' (The excessive pursuit of short-term profitability will lead to a lack of innovation drive in enterprises). Your usage should be precise and fit for a professional boardroom or academic journal.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '盈利性' (yínglìxìng). You can use it with absolute precision across various domains, including macroeconomics, corporate law, and advanced finance. You understand the subtle connotations it carries in different historical and cultural contexts within China, such as the reform of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) where '盈利性' became a central goal. You can use the word in sophisticated metaphors or in the context of 'social profitability' (社会盈利性) when discussing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Your ability to deploy this word, along with its synonyms like '收益性' or '增值性', allows you to engage in any high-level economic discourse in Chinese. You are also capable of spotting and correcting subtle misuses of the term in professional documents.

盈利性 in 30 Seconds

  • 盈利性 (yínglìxìng) is a formal noun meaning 'profitability,' used to describe a business's capacity to generate profit.
  • It is composed of '盈利' (profit) and the suffix '性' (-ity), making it an abstract measure rather than a specific amount.
  • Commonly used in financial analysis, business strategy, and economic reporting to evaluate corporate health and investment potential.
  • It is distinct from '利润' (profit amount) and should be used with formal verbs like '提高' (improve) or '评估' (evaluate).

The Chinese term 盈利性 (yínglìxìng) is a sophisticated noun that translates most directly to "profitability." To understand this word, one must break down its constituent parts: 盈 (yíng) meaning surplus or full, 利 (lì) meaning profit or benefit, and the suffix 性 (xìng), which functions similarly to the English suffixes "-ity" or "-ness," transforming an adjective or verb into an abstract noun representing a quality or property. Therefore, 盈利性 literally means "the property of being able to generate a surplus of benefit." It is a fundamental concept in business, economics, and finance, used to describe the capacity of an entity, project, or investment to generate earnings relative to its expenses over a specific period.

Core Concept
It refers not just to the existence of profit, but to the inherent capacity or efficiency of a business model to produce it.
Usage Context
Typically found in financial reports, business plans, and economic analyses when discussing the health of a company.

In daily professional Chinese, you will hear this word when managers discuss whether a new product line is worth pursuing. It is more formal than simply saying 赚钱 (zhuànqián), which means "to make money." While 赚钱 is colloquial and focuses on the act of earning, 盈利性 is analytical and focuses on the metric. For instance, a company might be 赚钱 (making money) in terms of total revenue, but its 盈利性 (profitability) might be low due to high operating costs. This distinction is crucial for HSK 4 and HSK 5 learners who are transitioning from basic survival Chinese to professional or academic Chinese.

投资者在决定注资之前,必须仔细评估该项目的盈利性。 (Investors must carefully evaluate the profitability of the project before deciding to inject capital.)

Furthermore, 盈利性 is often contrasted with other "properties" of a business, such as 流动性 (liúdòngxìng - liquidity) or 安全性 (ānquánxìng - safety/security). In the famous "Investment Triangle," these three properties are often in tension. A high-profitability project might have low liquidity or high risk. Therefore, when a Chinese speaker uses the word 盈利性, they are usually looking at the business through a lens of sustainability and financial performance. It implies a long-term view rather than a one-time windfall.

In a broader cultural context, as China's economy matured, the discussion around 盈利性 shifted from mere state-led production to market-oriented efficiency. During the reform and opening-up period, the 盈利性 of state-owned enterprises became a major topic of reform. Today, in the era of tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent, 盈利性 is the primary metric used by the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges to judge whether a startup should be allowed to go public on specific boards. Understanding this word gives you a key to understanding the modern Chinese corporate mindset.

虽然营业额增长很快,但由于成本过高,公司的盈利性仍然令人担忧。 (Although turnover is growing fast, the company's profitability remains worrying due to excessive costs.)

Grammar Note
盈利性 is an abstract noun. It is often the object of verbs like 评估 (evaluate), 提高 (improve), or 质疑 (question).

It is also worth noting the difference between 盈利 (yínglì) and 营利 (yínglì). While they sound identical, the former focuses on the actual profit gained, while the latter (written with 营) focuses on the *intent* to make a profit. 盈利性 almost always uses the "盈" character because it measures the result and capacity, not just the intention. If you are writing a business report in Chinese, using the correct character is a sign of high literacy and professional competence.

在非营利组织中,社会影响往往比盈利性更重要。 (In non-profit organizations, social impact is often more important than profitability.)

Using 盈利性 (yínglìxìng) correctly requires placing it in contexts where financial analysis or business strategy is being discussed. It is rarely used in casual conversation between friends at a dinner table unless they are discussing their stock portfolios or business ventures. Instead, it thrives in formal environments like boardrooms, news broadcasts, and academic papers. One of the most common sentence patterns involves the verb 提高 (tígāo - to improve/increase). For example, a CEO might say, "We need to optimize our supply chain to improve our profitability."

通过降低运营成本,我们成功提高了公司的盈利性。 (By reducing operating costs, we successfully improved the company's profitability.)

Another frequent usage is in the context of evaluation. Verbs like 评估 (pínggū - to evaluate), 分析 (fēnxī - to analyze), and 考量 (kǎoliáng - to consider/weigh) are natural partners for 盈利性. When an analyst looks at a startup, they aren't just looking at the current cash in the bank; they are looking at the business model's inherent profitability. This involves looking at margins, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value.

Pattern: 评估 + [Subject] + 的 + 盈利性
Example: 银行正在评估该贷款项目的盈利性。 (The bank is evaluating the profitability of the loan project.)

You can also use 盈利性 as a modifier for other nouns, though it often requires the particle 的 (de). For instance, 盈利性指标 (yínglìxìng zhǐbiāo) means "profitability indicators" or "profitability metrics." This is common in accounting where specific ratios (like ROE or ROA) are categorized under this heading. In this usage, it defines the *type* of metric being discussed.

净资产收益率是衡量企业盈利性的关键指标之一。 (Return on Equity is one of the key indicators for measuring a company's profitability.)

Furthermore, 盈利性 is used to distinguish between different types of organizations. In Chinese, a "for-profit organization" is often called an 盈利性机构 (yínglìxìng jīgòu), whereas a "non-profit organization" is a 非盈利性机构 (fēi yínglìxìng jīgòu). Note that in legal contexts, 营利 (yínglì) is sometimes preferred, but in common business parlance, 盈利性 is widely accepted and understood. This usage helps categorize entities based on their primary objective.

In complex sentences, 盈利性 can serve as the subject that is being affected by external factors. For example, "Market competition has affected our profitability." This structure is very common in economic news reports. It allows the speaker to discuss the abstract health of the business without getting bogged down in specific dollar amounts.

由于原材料价格上涨,该行业的整体盈利性普遍下降。 (Due to the rise in raw material prices, the overall profitability of the industry has generally declined.)

Collocation: 追求 (zhuīqiú - to pursue)
Example: 过分追求短期盈利性可能会损害公司的长期发展。 (Excessive pursuit of short-term profitability may harm the company's long-term development.)

Finally, when comparing two different business models, 盈利性 is the standard yardstick. You might say, "Model A has a higher 盈利性 than Model B." This level of comparison is essential for business students and professionals. By mastering this word, you can participate in high-level discussions about business strategy and financial health in a Chinese-speaking environment.

If you are in China and you tune into CCTV-2 (the Finance Channel) or read financial news outlets like Caixin (财新) or 21st Century Business Herald (21世纪经济报道), you will encounter 盈利性 (yínglìxìng) constantly. It is the bread and butter of economic journalism. Analysts use it to summarize the performance of the A-share market or to explain why a particular sector is currently out of favor with investors. For example, during a housing market cooling period, you might hear experts discussing the declining 盈利性 of real estate developers.

今天的财经新闻重点讨论了新能源汽车行业的长期盈利性。 (Today's financial news focused on discussing the long-term profitability of the new energy vehicle industry.)

In a corporate setting, you will hear this word during quarterly results briefings. When a company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) speaks to shareholders, they will provide a detailed breakdown of the company's 盈利性. They might use charts to show how different business segments contribute to the overall profitability. If you are working in a Chinese office, your manager might ask you to prepare a report that analyzes the 盈利性 of a potential new client or partner to ensure they are financially stable.

Common Setting: Pitch Decks
In the startup world of Zhongguancun (China's Silicon Valley), entrepreneurs use this word to convince Venture Capitalists (VCs) that their "burn rate" is temporary and that their business has strong 盈利性 potential.

Another interesting place you'll hear this word is in university lectures, specifically in MBA or economics courses. Professors use 盈利性 to teach students how to read balance sheets and income statements. They will discuss the "DuPont Analysis" (杜邦分析法) which breaks down 盈利性 into various components like profit margin and asset turnover. For a student, hearing this word signals that the discussion has moved from basic accounting to strategic financial management.

You might also encounter this word in government policy documents. When the Chinese government issues guidelines for industry development, they often mention improving the 盈利性 of specific sectors to ensure national economic security. For instance, a policy might aim to improve the 盈利性 of the agricultural sector through modernization and technology. This shows that the word isn't just for private business but is a key metric for national planning.

政府报告强调,要通过技术创新提升传统制造业的盈利性。 (The government report emphasized enhancing the profitability of traditional manufacturing through technological innovation.)

Lastly, in the context of legal disputes involving business contracts, lawyers might argue about the 盈利性 of a breached contract to determine damages. If a company's actions prevented another company from realizing its expected 盈利性, that loss must be quantified. Thus, the word moves from the boardroom to the courtroom, maintaining its status as a critical measure of financial value. Whether you are an investor, a student, a worker, or a lawyer, 盈利性 is a term that bridges various professional worlds in China.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning 盈利性 (yínglìxìng) is confusing it with the simple noun 利润 (lìrùn - profit). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 利润 refers to the actual amount of money left over after expenses (e.g., "We made a 1 million dollar profit"). In contrast, 盈利性 refers to the *capacity* or *state* of being profitable (e.g., "The profitability of this industry is declining"). You cannot say "Our 盈利性 was 1 million dollars." This is a fundamental category error.

Mistake #1: Confusing Profit and Profitability
Incorrect: 我们的盈利性是五百万。 (Our profitability is five million.)
Correct: 我们的利润是五百万。 (Our profit is five million.)
Correct: 我们的盈利性很高。 (Our profitability is very high.)

Another common error is the confusion between 盈利 (yínglì) and 营利 (yínglì). As mentioned before, they sound exactly the same. However, 盈利 is a verb or noun meaning "to make a profit" or "the profit made," while 营利 is a verb meaning "to seek profit." In written Chinese, using the wrong character can change the meaning significantly. For example, 非盈利性机构 implies an organization that doesn't *make* a profit, while 非营利性机构 (the legal term) implies an organization that doesn't *seek* profit as its primary goal. For most learners, sticking to the "盈" character for financial discussions is safer, but being aware of the "营" character is necessary for advanced reading.

注意:在法律文件中,通常使用“非营利组织”而非“非盈利组织”。 (Note: In legal documents, "non-profit organization" usually uses '营利' rather than '盈利'.)

A third mistake is using the word in a way that is too informal. Since 盈利性 is a formal, multi-syllabic term, using it in a casual conversation about a small personal gain sounds awkward. If you found a five-dollar bill on the street, you wouldn't say your day had high 盈利性. You would just say you 捡到了钱 (jiǎn dàole qián - found money) or 赚了 (zhuànle - made a gain). Reserve 盈利性 for systematic, business-oriented discussions.

Finally, learners often struggle with the word order when using 盈利性 with modifiers. Because it ends in 性, it is a noun. Therefore, it should be modified by adjectives or other nouns followed by . Some learners try to use it as an adjective itself, which is incorrect. You cannot say "一个盈利性公司" without the . It must be "一个具有盈利性的公司" (a company with profitability) or simply "一个盈利的公司" (a profitable company). Understanding that 性 creates a hard noun boundary is key to correct Chinese syntax.

Mistake #2: Using as an Adjective directly
Incorrect: 这是一个盈利性项目。 (This is a profitability project.)
Correct: 这是一个具有盈利性的项目。 (This is a project that possesses profitability.)

To truly master 盈利性 (yínglìxìng), you should understand how it compares to its synonyms and related terms. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning and is used in different contexts. The most common alternative is 收益性 (shōuyìxìng). While very similar, 收益性 is broader and can refer to any kind of return or benefit, not just commercial profit. It is often used in the context of investment portfolios where "returns" (收益) might include dividends, interest, or capital gains.

盈利性 vs. 收益性
盈利性 (Profitability) focuses on the surplus of revenue over costs in a business operation. 收益性 (Yield/Return) focuses on the total gain from an investment.

Another related term is 赚钱能力 (zhuànqián nénglì), which literally means "money-making ability." This is much more colloquial and is frequently used in casual business discussions or by retail investors on social media. If you want to sound like a professional analyst, use 盈利性; if you want to sound like a savvy street-smart entrepreneur, you might use 赚钱能力. For example, "这家公司的赚钱能力很强" (This company's money-making ability is strong) is perfectly natural in a casual chat.

与其说它有盈利性,不如说它只是在短时间内有很强的赚钱能力。 (Rather than saying it has profitability, it's better to say it just has a strong money-making ability in the short term.)

In accounting specifically, you might use 利润率 (lìrùnlǜ - profit margin). While 盈利性 is a general quality, 利润率 is a specific numerical ratio. When people discuss 盈利性, they are often implicitly referring to the 利润率. If the profit margin is high, the profitability is high. However, 盈利性 can also encompass other factors like asset turnover and financial leverage, making it a more comprehensive term than just a single margin ratio.

For the opposite concept, you can use 亏损性 (kuīsǔnxìng - loss-making nature). This is used when a project or company is structurally designed or currently in a state where it loses money. For example, many tech startups in their early stages are described as having 亏损性, meaning their business model hasn't reached the "break-even point" (盈亏平衡点 - yíngkuī pínghéng diǎn) yet. Using these terms together allows for a sophisticated analysis of a company's financial lifecycle.

很多初创企业在初期都具有明显的亏损性,但这并不代表它们没有未来。 (Many startups have obvious loss-making characteristics in the beginning, but this doesn't mean they have no future.)

Summary of Alternatives
1. 收益性 (Returns/Broad benefit)
2. 赚钱能力 (Money-making ability/Colloquial)
3. 利润率 (Profit margin/Numerical)
4. 盈利率 (Profit rate/Ratio)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '盈' (yíng) contains the '皿' (mǐn) radical, which means 'vessel' or 'container,' suggesting a cup overflowing with abundance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jɪŋ.li.ɕɪŋ/
US /jɪŋ.li.ɕɪŋ/
The primary stress in Chinese is often evenly distributed, but the falling tones on 'lì' and 'xìng' give them a forceful ending.
Rhymes With
性 (xìng) rhymes with 定 (dìng), 令 (lìng), 庆 (qìng). 盈 (yíng) rhymes with 名 (míng), 行 (híng), 情 (qíng).
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'yíng' as 'yǐng' (third tone).
  • Mispronouncing 'xìng' as 'shìng' (confusing the 'x' sound with English 'sh').
  • Treating '盈利' as 'yínglì' (first tone on ying), which is a different word.
  • Failing to give 'lì' and 'xìng' their sharp downward emphasis.
  • Merging the 'n' and 'ng' sounds at the end of the syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of business-specific characters and the abstract suffix '性'.

Writing 5/5

The character '盈' is complex to write and easy to confuse with '赢'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires correct tones to avoid confusion with '营利'.

Listening 4/5

Context is needed to distinguish '盈利' from '营利' in spoken Chinese.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

赢 (Win) 利 (Profit/Benefit) 钱 (Money) 公司 (Company) 生意 (Business)

Learn Next

收益率 (Rate of return) 现金流 (Cash flow) 资产负债表 (Balance sheet) 宏观经济 (Macroeconomics) 投资组合 (Investment portfolio)

Advanced

边际效用 (Marginal utility) 资本密集型 (Capital intensive) 杠杆效应 (Leverage effect) 盈亏平衡点 (Break-even point)

Grammar to Know

The Suffix '性' (xìng)

重要 (Important) -> 重要性 (Importance); 盈利 (Profit) -> 盈利性 (Profitability).

Abstract Nouns as Objects

我们需要提高盈利性。 (We need to improve profitability.)

Modifying Nouns with '的'

高盈利性的公司。 (A highly profitable company.)

Cause and Effect with '由于'

由于成本上升,盈利性下降了。 (Due to rising costs, profitability has declined.)

Comparison with '比'

A项目的盈利性比B项目高。 (Project A's profitability is higher than Project B's.)

Examples by Level

1

这个公司很有钱,它的盈利性很好。

This company has a lot of money; its profitability is very good.

Simple subject + 盈利性 + adjective.

2

盈利性是什么意思?

What does profitability mean?

Asking for the definition of the noun.

3

我们要看盈利性。

We need to look at the profitability.

Verb '看' (to look/examine) + object.

4

那个小店的盈利性不高。

That small shop's profitability is not high.

Negation '不高' (not high).

5

盈利性很重要。

Profitability is very important.

Noun + adjective '重要'.

6

他是看盈利性的人。

He is a person who looks at profitability.

Relative clause using '的'.

7

这里的盈利性还可以。

The profitability here is okay.

Using '还可以' to mean 'so-so' or 'okay'.

8

我不懂盈利性。

I don't understand profitability.

Simple negation of the verb '懂'.

1

经理在谈论公司的盈利性。

The manager is talking about the company's profitability.

Verb '谈论' (to talk about) + object.

2

我们需要提高盈利性。

We need to improve profitability.

Auxiliary verb '需要' + verb '提高'.

3

这家银行关注项目的盈利性。

This bank focuses on the profitability of projects.

Verb '关注' (to focus on/pay attention to).

4

这不仅仅是钱的问题,还有盈利性的问题。

It's not just a matter of money, but also a matter of profitability.

Using '不仅仅...还有...' structure.

5

盈利性是评价生意的一个标准。

Profitability is a standard for evaluating a business.

Noun as a subject in a definition sentence.

6

如果你想开公司,你要考虑盈利性。

If you want to start a company, you have to consider profitability.

Conditional '如果...就/要...'.

7

这种产品的盈利性很低。

The profitability of this kind of product is very low.

Using '这种' as a classifier.

8

我们的盈利性比去年好。

Our profitability is better than last year.

Comparison structure 'A 比 B + adjective'.

1

为了提高盈利性,公司决定裁员。

In order to improve profitability, the company decided to lay off employees.

Purpose clause '为了...'.

2

这个报告分析了新市场的盈利性。

This report analyzed the profitability of the new market.

Verb '分析' (to analyze) + object.

3

盈利性指标包括净利润和毛利率。

Profitability indicators include net profit and gross margin.

Listing items using '包括'.

4

投资者通常更看重长期的盈利性。

Investors usually value long-term profitability more.

Adverb '通常' and '更看重'.

5

由于竞争激烈,该行业的盈利性普遍下降。

Due to fierce competition, the profitability of the industry has generally declined.

Cause and effect '由于...'

6

我们必须评估这个投资方案的盈利性。

We must evaluate the profitability of this investment plan.

Modal verb '必须' + '评估'.

7

盈利性的提高得益于成本的有效控制。

The improvement in profitability is due to effective cost control.

Structure '...得益于...' (benefit from).

8

这家初创公司目前还不具备盈利性。

This startup does not yet possess profitability.

Verb '具备' (to possess/have).

1

盈利性分析是商业计划书中不可或缺的一部分。

Profitability analysis is an indispensable part of a business plan.

Using '不可或缺' (indispensable) as an idiom.

2

公司通过多元化经营来增强其盈利性。

The company enhances its profitability through diversified operations.

Prepositional phrase '通过...' indicating method.

3

该项目的盈利性取决于原材料价格的波动。

The profitability of the project depends on the fluctuation of raw material prices.

Verb '取决于' (depends on).

4

虽然营业额在增长,但盈利性却在萎缩。

Although turnover is growing, profitability is shrinking.

Contrastive structure '虽然...但...却...'.

5

我们需要重新审视这些低盈利性的业务部门。

We need to re-examine these low-profitability business units.

Compound adjective '低盈利性的'.

6

盈利性受宏观经济环境的影响很大。

Profitability is greatly affected by the macroeconomic environment.

Passive-like structure '受...的影响'.

7

追求极致的盈利性有时会牺牲产品质量。

Pursuing extreme profitability sometimes sacrifices product quality.

Subject is a gerund phrase '追求...盈利性'.

8

董事会对目前的盈利性水平表示满意。

The board of directors expressed satisfaction with the current level of profitability.

Verb '表示' (to express) + object.

1

在资本密集型行业中,规模效应是提升盈利性的关键。

In capital-intensive industries, economies of scale are the key to enhancing profitability.

Advanced term '规模效应' (economies of scale).

2

该公司的盈利性主要源于其核心技术的专利保护。

The company's profitability mainly stems from the patent protection of its core technology.

Verb '源于' (stem from/originate from).

3

过度依赖单一客户会严重威胁企业的长期盈利性。

Over-reliance on a single customer will seriously threaten the long-term profitability of the enterprise.

Verb '威胁' (threaten).

4

分析师质疑该商业模式的可持续盈利性。

Analysts questioned the sustainable profitability of the business model.

Compound noun '可持续盈利性' (sustainable profitability).

5

盈利性的恶化导致了公司股价的大幅下跌。

The deterioration of profitability led to a sharp drop in the company's stock price.

Abstract noun '恶化' (deterioration) as a subject.

6

我们需要在社会责任与盈利性之间寻找平衡点。

We need to find a balance between social responsibility and profitability.

Structure '在...之间寻找平衡点'.

7

该政策旨在通过减税来提高中小企业的盈利性。

The policy aims to improve the profitability of small and medium-sized enterprises through tax cuts.

Structure '旨在通过...来...' (aims to... through...).

8

由于缺乏核心竞争力,该企业的盈利性一直处于低位。

Due to a lack of core competitiveness, the company's profitability has remained at a low level.

State description '处于低位' (at a low position/level).

1

盈利性并非衡量企业价值的唯一维度,但却是其生存的基石。

Profitability is not the only dimension for measuring enterprise value, but it is the cornerstone of its survival.

Using '并非...却是...' for sophisticated contrast.

2

在全球化背景下,汇率波动对跨国公司的盈利性构成了严峻挑战。

In the context of globalization, exchange rate fluctuations pose a severe challenge to the profitability of multinational corporations.

Verb '构成' (to constitute/pose) + challenge.

3

通过深度的财务拆解,我们可以洞察公司盈利性的内在逻辑。

Through deep financial deconstruction, we can gain insight into the internal logic of the company's profitability.

Verb '洞察' (to gain insight/see through).

4

垄断地位往往能为企业带来超额的盈利性,但也会招致监管压力。

A monopoly position often brings excess profitability to an enterprise, but it also invites regulatory pressure.

Using '招致' (to incur/invite something negative).

5

盈利性的周期性波动是资源型行业不可避免的特征。

Cyclical fluctuations in profitability are an unavoidable characteristic of resource-based industries.

Adjective '不可避免的' (unavoidable).

6

数字化转型在短期内可能增加支出,但长期来看将显著提升盈利性。

Digital transformation may increase spending in the short term, but in the long run, it will significantly enhance profitability.

Temporal contrast '短期内...长期来看...'.

7

该研究探讨了研发投入与公司长期盈利性之间的正相关关系。

The study explores the positive correlation between R&D investment and a company's long-term profitability.

Statistical term '正相关关系' (positive correlation).

8

剔除偶然性因素后,该公司的核心盈利性依然稳健。

After excluding accidental factors, the company's core profitability remains robust.

Verb '剔除' (to exclude/eliminate).

Common Collocations

提高盈利性
评估盈利性
长期盈利性
盈利性指标
核心盈利性
盈利性水平
盈利性分析
盈利性机构
损害盈利性
追求盈利性

Common Phrases

盈利性目标

— The financial goals set by a company regarding its profit capacity.

我们尚未达到预设的盈利性目标。

盈利性风险

— The risk that a business will not be able to maintain its profitability.

市场饱和带来了巨大的盈利性风险。

盈利性预测

— Forecasting future profitability based on current trends.

根据盈利性预测,明年我们将扭亏为盈。

盈利性模式

— The specific way a business generates its profit; business model.

这种新型盈利性模式非常成功。

盈利性改善

— The process or result of profitability getting better.

我们看到了盈利性明显的改善。

盈利性挑战

— Difficulties faced in trying to remain profitable.

成本上升是目前最大的盈利性挑战。

盈利性对比

— Comparing the profitability of different entities or periods.

这份报告做了详细的盈利性对比。

盈利性趋势

— The direction in which profitability is moving over time.

盈利性趋势显示行业正在复苏。

盈利性驱动因素

— The key factors that cause a business to be profitable.

创新是公司盈利性的主要驱动因素。

盈利性报告

— A document detailing the profitability of a venture.

请在周五前提交盈利性报告。

Often Confused With

盈利性 vs 利润 (lìrùn)

Profit (the amount). Profitability (the quality/capacity).

盈利性 vs 营利 (yínglì)

Seeking profit (intent). Making profit (result).

盈利性 vs 收益 (shōuyì)

General earnings/returns. Specifically commercial profit.

Idioms & Expressions

"扭亏为盈"

— To turn a loss into a profit. Often used when profitability returns.

经过两年的努力,公司终于扭亏为盈了。

Formal
"有利可图"

— To be profitable or have prospects of profit. More colloquial.

这个项目看起来有利可图。

Neutral
"开源节流"

— To increase income and reduce expenditure to improve profitability.

在困难时期,我们必须开源节流。

Formal/Idiomatic
"一本万利"

— To make a huge profit from a small investment. Often hyperbolic.

他总想着做一本万利的生意。

Informal
"日进斗金"

— To make a lot of money every day. Describes extremely high profitability.

那家店生意红火,简直是日进斗金。

Literary/Informal
"坐收渔利"

— To reap the spoils while others do the work or fight.

他想在两家公司的竞争中坐收渔利。

Formal/Idiomatic
"无利不起早"

— One does not get up early without the prospect of profit. Used to describe profit-driven behavior.

商人都是无利不起早的。

Informal/Proverb
"薄利多销"

— Small profits but quick turnover. A specific strategy for profitability.

我们公司一直坚持薄利多销的原则。

Business
"稳扎稳打"

— To go steady and strike hard. Often used for sustainable profitability.

我们要稳扎稳打,确保长期的盈利性。

Neutral
"因小失大"

— To lose the big for the small. Sacrificing long-term profitability for short-term gain.

为了省点钱而降低质量,真是因小失大。

Formal/Idiomatic

Easily Confused

盈利性 vs 盈利

Sounds identical to 营利 and is the root of 盈利性.

盈利 is the act of making profit; 盈利性 is the abstract quality or capacity to do so.

我们今年实现了盈利,但盈利性还需要提高。

盈利性 vs 营利

Homophone (same sound).

营利 focuses on the 'pursuit' of profit (often used in legal terms like '营利性机构'). 盈利 focuses on the 'gain' of profit.

这是一家非营利性机构。

盈利性 vs 利润

Closely related concepts.

利润 is a concrete noun (the money). 盈利性 is an abstract noun (the ability). You can count 利润, but you measure 盈利性.

利润是五万,但盈利性并不高。

盈利性 vs 收益

Both mean financial gain.

收益 is broader (includes interest, dividends, etc.). 盈利 is specifically about business profit (Revenue - Cost).

这笔投资的收益很高。

盈利性 vs 效率

Profitability is a type of efficiency.

效率 (efficiency) is general (time, energy, resources). 盈利性 is specific to financial gain.

提高工作效率可以间接提升盈利性。

Sentence Patterns

A2

这个[Business]的盈利性[Adjective]。

这个小店的盈利性很好。

B1

为了提高盈利性,[Subject]决定[Action]。

为了提高盈利性,公司决定减少支出。

B1

我们需要评估[Project]的盈利性。

我们需要评估这个投资项目的盈利性。

B2

盈利性受[Factor]的影响很大。

盈利性受市场竞争的影响很大。

B2

[Indicator]是衡量盈利性的关键。

利润率是衡量盈利性的关键。

C1

在[Context]下,提升盈利性具有重要意义。

在全球化背景下,提升盈利性具有重要意义。

C1

剔除[Variable]后,核心盈利性依然[Adjective]。

剔除利息支出后,核心盈利性依然稳健。

C2

盈利性并非[A],而是[B]的体现。

盈利性并非最终目的,而是企业竞争力的体现。

Word Family

Nouns

利润 (lìrùn) - Profit
收益 (shōuyì) - Income/Earnings
亏损 (kuīsǔn) - Loss
赢家 (yíngjiā) - Winner

Verbs

盈利 (yínglì) - To make a profit
赢 (yíng) - To win
获利 (huòlì) - To obtain profit

Adjectives

盈利的 (yínglì de) - Profitable
营利性的 (yínglìxìng de) - For-profit

Related

财务 (cáiwù) - Finance
投资 (tóuzī) - Investment
成本 (chéngběn) - Cost
收入 (shōurù) - Revenue
效率 (xiàolǜ) - Efficiency

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, finance, and economics. Rare in casual daily life.

Common Mistakes
  • Using '盈利性' to mean a specific dollar amount. 我们的利润是五百万。

    盈利性 is an abstract quality, not a countable amount. Use '利润' for specific numbers.

  • Saying '很盈利性' (hěn yínglìxìng). 盈利性很高。

    性 turns the word into a noun. Adverbs like '很' modify adjectives, not nouns. You must say 'the profitability is high'.

  • Confusing '盈利' with '赢利'. 盈利性 (yínglìxìng).

    While '赢利' exists, '盈利' is the standard character used for the abstract noun 'profitability' in finance.

  • Using '盈利性' in very casual settings. 这个生意挺赚钱的。

    In casual talk, '盈利性' sounds too stiff and academic. Use '赚钱' instead.

  • Directly modifying a noun: '盈利性项目'. 具有盈利性的项目 / 盈利的项目。

    As a noun, it needs '具有...的' or you should use the adjective form '盈利的'.

Tips

Suffix Power

Master the '性' suffix! It works just like '-ity' or '-ness'. Knowing this helps you understand hundreds of other abstract Chinese nouns.

Character Watch

Be careful with '盈' (yíng). It has '皿' (vessel) at the bottom. Don't confuse it with '赢' (win), which has '贝' (shell/money) at the bottom.

Tone Accuracy

Focus on the fourth tone of 'lì'. If you say it with a second tone, it might sound like '离' (leave), which changes the meaning entirely.

Business Context

Use '盈利性' in reports to impress your boss. It sounds much more professional than '赚钱'.

Context Clues

When you hear 'yínglì', check if the speaker is talking about a company's health. If so, it's likely '盈利性'.

Antonym Pairing

Learn '盈利性' alongside '亏损性' (loss-making nature). They are natural opposites in financial analysis.

News Scanning

Look for this word in the 'Business' (财经) section of Chinese newspapers. It's a high-frequency keyword there.

Definition Trick

If you forget the definition, just remember: Profit + Ability = Profitability.

Modern China

Understand that '盈利性' is the goal of most modern Chinese companies, reflecting the country's shift to a market economy.

Sound Association

Ying-Li sounds like 'In-Lead'. A company 'In the Lead' usually has high 'Profitability'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ying' as 'Winning' (they sound similar). 'Li' is like 'Loot' (profit). 'Xing' is 'Nature.' So, 'Winning-Loot-Nature' is Profitability.

Visual Association

Imagine a glass of water overflowing (盈) onto a pile of gold coins (利). The 'nature' (性) of this setup is that it's overflowing with profit.

Word Web

盈利 (Profit) 利润 (Net Income) 成本 (Cost) 分析 (Analysis) 提高 (Improve) 评估 (Evaluate) 指标 (Indicator) 模型 (Model)

Challenge

Try to use '盈利性' in three different sentences: one about a company, one about an investment, and one about a personal business idea.

Word Origin

The word is a modern Chinese compound. '盈' (yíng) historically meant 'full' or 'surplus' (as in 'surplus water'). '利' (lì) originally depicted a knife cutting grain, symbolizing 'harvest' or 'benefit.'

Original meaning: The combination '盈利' was used in classical texts to mean excess gain. The addition of '性' is a modern linguistic development, influenced by Western languages (like English '-ity') to create abstract nouns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing the '盈利性' of sensitive sectors like healthcare or education in China, as recent regulations (like the 'Double Reduction' policy in tutoring) have shifted these away from for-profit models.

In the West, 'profitability' is often viewed through the lens of shareholder value. In China, while shareholder value is important, '盈利性' is also frequently discussed in the context of national development and social stability.

The 'Fortune 500' (财富500强) list is the ultimate ranking of '盈利性' for Chinese firms. Jack Ma (Alibaba) often discussed the balance between '盈利性' and 'social value' in his early speeches. The 'Shanghai Stock Exchange' (上交所) has strict '盈利性' requirements for listing on the Main Board.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meetings

  • 提高盈利性
  • 盈利性分析
  • 盈利性指标
  • 目前的盈利性

Financial News

  • 盈利性下降
  • 盈利性改善
  • 长期盈利性
  • 盈利性预测

Academic Economics

  • 盈利性理论
  • 评估盈利性
  • 盈利性与风险
  • 盈利性模型

Investment Pitching

  • 具备盈利性
  • 盈利性潜力
  • 核心盈利性
  • 可持续盈利性

Corporate Strategy

  • 追求盈利性
  • 损害盈利性
  • 盈利性结构
  • 盈利性目标

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这家公司的盈利性怎么样? (What do you think about this company's profitability?)"

"我们该如何提高这个项目的盈利性? (How should we improve the profitability of this project?)"

"盈利性是你投资时最看重的因素吗? (Is profitability the factor you value most when investing?)"

"你认为新媒体行业现在的盈利性如何? (What do you think of the profitability of the new media industry now?)"

"为什么有些公司的盈利性虽然高,但股价却不涨? (Why do some companies have high profitability but their stock prices don't rise?)"

Journal Prompts

分析一个你熟悉的商业模式,并讨论它的盈利性。 (Analyze a business model you are familiar with and discuss its profitability.)

如果你要创业,你会优先考虑盈利性还是社会价值? (If you were to start a business, would you prioritize profitability or social value?)

描述一次你通过降低成本来提高某个小项目盈利性的经历。 (Describe an experience where you improved the profitability of a small project by reducing costs.)

讨论人工智能技术将如何影响未来制造业的盈利性。 (Discuss how AI technology will affect the profitability of the future manufacturing industry.)

写一段话,解释为什么长期盈利性比短期利润更重要。 (Write a paragraph explaining why long-term profitability is more important than short-term profit.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 盈利性 is used for businesses, projects, or investments. For a person, you would say they have '赚钱能力' (money-making ability) or are '有能力的' (capable).

盈利性 is the general quality of being profitable. 盈利率 is the specific percentage or ratio (profit divided by revenue). They are related but used differently in sentences.

Yes, it typically appears in HSK 5 and HSK 6 reading and listening materials related to business and economics.

You can say '非盈利性' (fēi yínglìxìng) or '非营利性' (fēi yínglìxìng). The latter is more common in official and legal names of organizations.

Technically it's a noun. To use it like an adjective, you add '的' (e.g., 盈利性的项目). However, it's often better to just use '盈利的' (profitable).

It is a translated term '社会盈利性' used in ESG discussions to describe the benefits a company brings to society beyond just financial profit.

It is 'yíng lì' (second tone, fourth tone). Make sure 'lì' is sharp and falling.

No. You should say '盈利性很高' (The profitability is very high). In Chinese, nouns like '盈利性' cannot be modified by '很' directly.

The suffix '性' turns the verb/noun '盈利' into an abstract quality, similar to how '-ity' turns 'profitable' into 'profitability'.

It is very formal. Avoid using it in casual chats with friends unless you are discussing serious business topics.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence using '盈利性' and '提高'.

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Translate: 'Investors are evaluating the profitability of this project.'

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Explain the difference between '利润' and '盈利性' in Chinese.

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Write a short paragraph about why profitability is important for a startup.

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Use '盈利性' in a sentence about market competition.

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Translate: 'This for-profit institution aims to provide high-quality service.'

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Describe a scenario where a company's '盈利性' might decline.

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Write a sentence using '盈利性' and '指标'.

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Translate: 'Sustainable profitability is our long-term goal.'

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Explain 'non-profit organization' in Chinese using the word '盈利性'.

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Write a sentence comparing the profitability of two industries.

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Translate: 'Technological innovation is the key to enhancing profitability.'

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Write a sentence using '由于' and '盈利性'.

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Describe the term 'core profitability' (核心盈利性) in your own words.

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Translate: 'The board expressed satisfaction with the current level of profitability.'

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Write a sentence about '盈利性' and '风险' (risk).

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Translate: 'We need to analyze the profitability of the new market.'

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Use '盈利性' in a sentence about a small shop.

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Translate: 'Profitability is not the only measure of success.'

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Write a sentence about '盈利性' and '成本' (cost).

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speaking

请用中文解释一下‘盈利性’是什么意思。 (Please explain 'profitability' in Chinese.)

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如果你是一个投资者,你会关注公司的哪些方面?请用到‘盈利性’。 (If you were an investor, what would you focus on? Please use 'profitability'.)

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你认为提高盈利性最好的方法是什么? (What do you think is the best way to improve profitability?)

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请谈谈市场竞争对盈利性的影响。 (Please talk about the impact of market competition on profitability.)

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非盈利性组织需要关注盈利性吗?为什么? (Do non-profits need to focus on profitability? Why?)

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请举例说明一个高盈利性的行业。 (Give an example of a high-profitability industry.)

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为什么有些初创公司即使不赚钱也能获得融资? (Why do some startups get funding even if they aren't making money?)

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请描述一下你公司目前的盈利性状况。 (Describe your company's current profitability situation.)

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你觉得社会责任和盈利性可以共存吗? (Do you think social responsibility and profitability can coexist?)

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如何通过创新来改善盈利性? (How can innovation improve profitability?)

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请用到‘盈利性指标’造句。 (Make a sentence using 'profitability indicators'.)

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如果一个项目的盈利性很低,你会建议公司怎么做? (If a project's profitability is low, what would you suggest the company do?)

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为什么宏观经济对盈利性有影响? (Why does the macroeconomy affect profitability?)

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谈谈你对‘可持续盈利性’的看法。 (Talk about your view on 'sustainable profitability'.)

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请比较‘利润’和‘盈利性’。 (Please compare 'profit' and 'profitability'.)

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你认为什么样的商业模式盈利性最高? (What kind of business model do you think has the highest profitability?)

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通货膨胀如何影响企业的盈利性? (How does inflation affect a company's profitability?)

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请解释‘扭亏为盈’。 (Please explain 'turning loss into profit'.)

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在面试中,你如何向老板展示你的工作能提高公司的盈利性? (In an interview, how do you show your work can improve profitability?)

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为什么核心盈利性很重要? (Why is core profitability important?)

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听力练习:录音中提到‘由于运营成本的下降,本季度的盈利性有了显著提高。’ 问题:本季度的盈利性为什么提高了?

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听力练习:‘我们需要分析该项目在不同市场环境下的盈利性表现。’ 问题:说话者想要分析什么?

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘尽管目前的盈利性不高,但我们看好它的长期潜力。’ 问题:说话者对目前的盈利性满意吗?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘盈利性指标是评估管理层绩效的关键。’ 问题:什么被用来评估管理层绩效?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘剔除一次性损益后,公司的盈利性依然稳健。’ 问题:剔除一次性损益后,盈利性如何?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘该行业的盈利性受政策变化影响非常大。’ 问题:什么对该行业的盈利性影响很大?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘我们需要在规模扩张和盈利性之间找到平衡点。’ 问题:平衡点应该在什么之间?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘低盈利性的业务部门将被逐步剥离。’ 问题:什么样的业务部门将被剥离?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘投资者正在质疑该商业模式的可持续盈利性。’ 问题:投资者在质疑什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘通过技术升级,我们有望在明年提升盈利性。’ 问题:说话者希望明年做什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘核心盈利性是衡量企业竞争力的核心。’ 问题:核心盈利性衡量什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘该公司的盈利性主要来自于海外市场。’ 问题:盈利性主要来自哪里?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘由于研发投入过大,短期的盈利性受到了一定影响。’ 问题:短期盈利性为什么受到影响?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘我们需要制定一套完整的盈利性提升方案。’ 问题:需要制定什么样的方案?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

听力练习:‘盈利性水平的波动反映了市场的多变。’ 问题:盈利性水平的波动反映了什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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