‘既得利益’ literally means ‘already-obtained benefits’ — combining 既 (already), 得 (to obtain), 利 (advantage, profit), and 益 (benefit, advantage). Together, it refers to advantages, privileges, or material benefits that a person or group already possesses and seeks to protect, often resisting change that might threaten them. It carries a slightly critical or analytical tone, commonly used in social, political, and economic discussions about reform, policy resistance, or power dynamics.

The term emphasizes the psychological and structural inertia created by existing advantages — not just personal gain, but entrenched positions (e.g., job security, subsidies, regulatory exemptions) that shape behavior and attitudes toward innovation or fairness. It’s frequently paired with words like ‘集团’ (interest group), ‘格局’ (structure), or ‘固化’ (entrenchment), and appears in media, academic writing, and public commentary on inequality or institutional reform.