得失 déshī gains and losses
gains and losses; success and failure; merits and demerits
How to remember 得失: 得 get + 失 to lose = gains and losses.
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How it is used
- A paired abstract noun, 'gains and losses' weighed together - 不计个人得失 (bú jì gèrén déshī) not to count personal gains and losses.
- Often about trade-offs and merits/demerits of a decision, not literal money; 权衡利弊 (quánhéng lìbì) is a close cousin focused on pros and cons.
- Common in 成败得失 (success/failure, gains/losses) and 患得患失 (fret over every gain and loss).