利弊

lìbì

noun #27,133

Meanings

1 pros and cons
2 advantages and disadvantages
3 merits and drawbacks

Characters

benefit; advantage; profit

harm; disadvantage; fraud

Examples

在做决定之前，应该权衡利弊。

Zài zuò juédìng zhīqián, yīnggāi quánhéng lìbì.

Before making a decision, you should weigh the pros and cons.

这项政策的利弊目前还有争议。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè de lìbì mùqián hái yǒu zhēngyì.

The advantages and disadvantages of this policy are still debated.

Tips

usage

利弊 is often paired with 权衡 (quánhéng, to weigh) in the fixed phrase 权衡利弊 (to weigh the pros and cons). 利 means benefit/advantage, 弊 means harm/disadvantage — together they cover both sides of any issue.

Stroke Order

利 lì

弊 bì