How to say "interests" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 利害りがいnounInterests viewed as gains and losses for the parties involved; the natural choice when interests conflict or coincide, as in negotiations, deals, or disputes between two sides.
- 権益けんえきnounInterests understood as the rights and benefits a party holds, to be protected or asserted; the nuance suits political and business talk about defending one's interests.
- 利害関係りがいかんけいnounInterests as a relationship: whether one stands to gain or lose from a matter. Use it for having a stake or an involvement, as when disclosing a stake before a decision.
- 利益りえきnounThe general word for benefit, advantage, or good, and hence for the interests of a group or of society; it focuses on the benefit side, where 利害 weighs gains against losses.
Choose 利益 for the benefit or good of a person, group, or society; 利害 for gains and losses between parties; 利害関係 for having a stake in a matter; 権益 for interests as rights in politics and business.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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