利息

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 利息 (りそく) combines gain 利 and increase 息 to denote interest on money.
• Basic usage: It is checked as a borrowing cost and recorded as earnings on a deposit.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Interest paid and interest earned
  • The same 利息 is an expense to a borrower but income to a depositor; the financial direction determines its role.