Skip to content
Begin learning Chinese at your own paceStart learning
利害 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
利害lìhàipros and consHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàiadvantages and disadvantagesHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàigains and lossesHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàiterribleHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàiformidableHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàiseriousHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàidevastatingHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàitoughHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàicapableHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàisharpHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàisevereHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhàifierceHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaipros and consHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaiadvantages and disadvantagesHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaigains and lossesHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaiterribleHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaiformidableHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaiseriousHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaidevastatingHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaitoughHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaicapableHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaisharpHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaisevereHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
利害lìhaifierceHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #17505, Very Hard
lìhài(li4hai4)li hai
primary
T4
  1. 1pros and cons
  2. 2advantages and disadvantages
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

利害lìhài(li4hai4)

利害 (lìhài) refers to the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, often used in discussions about decision-making or evaluating outcomes. It can also describe something that is serious or formidable, emphasizing the intensity of a situation or effect. The term is frequently used in both business contexts and everyday discussions about personal choices.

Strokes17Frequency#17505DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of weighing利害 is deeply embedded in Chinese decision-making processes, reflecting a balance of interests that is critical in both business negotiations and personal relationships. It underscores the importance of considering multiple perspectives before making a decision.

Memory tip

Think of 利 (lì) as 'profit' and 害 (hài) as 'harm.' Imagine a scale balancing these two aspects; when you weigh the利 (benefits) against the害 (detriments), you get a clear picture of the situation’s利害. This imagery can help you remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 利害

lìhài(li4hai4)
primary
1pros and cons
2advantages and disadvantages
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 利害 means.

About 利害

利害Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#17505Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 利害

JasonAmy

Podcast: 利害

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 利害

Quick Contrast

利 (lì) vs 害 (hài) — use 利 when emphasizing benefits or advantages, and 害 when focusing on harm or disadvantages.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 利害 with similar terms like 好处 (hǎochù, benefits) or 坏处 (huàichù, drawbacks), which are more one-sided. This term is more formal and is often used in business or serious discussions, so avoid using it in casual contexts. Pay attention to the tones to ensure clarity, as mispronunciation can change meanings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 利害 connects to other advanced vocabulary discussing analysis and judgment. Students should focus on its usage in complex sentences and practice identifying pros and cons in various scenarios, enhancing their argumentative skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners may incorrectly use 利害 as a direct synonym for 'advantage,' forgetting its dual nature of pros and cons. Instead of saying '它的利害是好' (Its利害 is good), they should say '它的利害是好的和坏的' (Its利害 has both good and bad aspects).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 利害

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 利害 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 利害 to You

Let me explain 利害 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 利害 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 利害?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 利害 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

利lìsharp
HSK 67 strokes刂
View full entry
害hàito do harm to
HSK 610 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say pros and cons in Chinese

“pros and cons” in Chinese is利害lìhài

利害 (lìhài) refers to the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, often used in discussions about decision-making or evaluating outcomes. It can also describe something that is serious or formidable, emphasizing the intensity of a situation or effect. The term is frequently used in both business contexts and everyday discussions about personal choices.

When to use 利害

Be cautious not to confuse 利害 with similar terms like 好处 (hǎochù, benefits) or 坏处 (huàichù, drawbacks), which are more one-sided. This term is more formal and is often used in business or serious discussions, so avoid using it in casual contexts. Pay attention to the tones to ensure clarity, as mispronunciation can change meanings.

利害 or something close to it

利 (lì) vs 害 (hài) — use 利 when emphasizing benefits or advantages, and 害 when focusing on harm or disadvantages.

What learners get wrong

Learners may incorrectly use 利害 as a direct synonym for 'advantage,' forgetting its dual nature of pros and cons. Instead of saying '它的利害是好' (Its利害 is good), they should say '它的利害是好的和坏的' (Its利害 has both good and bad aspects).

Write 利害

利
害

Practice writing 利害 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 利害?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 利害

You can say '在做决定之前,我们必须考虑利害关系' (Before making a decision, we must consider the pros and cons).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 利害?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab