Mnemonic
From the grass, a phoenix spreads its wings, dripping golden nectar into a dish below. Whoever drinks gains every benefit imaginable — health, wealth, and wisdom overflowing from that single dish of liquid gathered beneath the wings in the grass.
Additional thoughts
Visualize the kanji's three layers: grass on top, wings in the middle, dish at the bottom. Nectar flows downward through each layer, accumulating in the dish. The overflowing dish represents abundant benefit.Quick recall
A grass-born phoenix spreads wings, filling a dish with golden benefit.Details
The keyword for 益 is benefit. This kanji conveys the idea of gain, profit, or advantage—something that adds value or improves a situation. It is used to express the concept of being useful, helpful, or advantageous, and can also refer to increasing or growing in a positive sense. In broader usage, it encompasses both material profit and more abstract notions of being beneficial to others or to society.
- On'yomi
- えき、やく
- Kun'yomi
- ま.す