Chinese word

方便

Pronunciation

Pinyinfāng biàn

Meaning

  • adjectiveconvenient

Example

这个手机很方便。zhè ge shǒu jī hěn fāng biàn

This phone is very convenient.

Illustration for 方便 (convenient)

More examples

这里买东西很方便。zhè lǐ mǎi dōng xī hěn fāng biàn

Shopping here is very convenient.

Core concept

A suitable path removes trouble from an action and provides a gentle way to mention a private bodily need.

Common phrases

  • 生活很方便shēng huó hěn fāng biàn

    convenient in everyday life

  • 用起来很方便yòng qǐ lái hěn fāng biàn

    easy to use

  • 买东西很方便mǎi dōng xī hěn fāng biàn

    convenient for shopping

Similar words

便利biàn lì: Being useful in practice and easy to use without much trouble.
容易róng yì: Being easy to learn or accomplish without much time or effort.
简单jiǎn dān: Being uncomplicated in structure or process and easy to understand or operate.

Definition in Chinese

形容事物使行动变得容易、能节省时间或精力，有时也作为委婉语表示上厕所或解手。xíng róng shì wù shǐ xíng dòng biàn de róng yì néng jié shěng shí jiān huò jīng lì yǒu shí yě zuò wéi wéi wǎn yǔ biǎo shì shàng cè suǒ huò jié shǒu

Word origin

方便 (fāngbiàn, "convenient") combines 方 (fāng, "way or method") with 便 (biàn, "convenient"), while 便 also has a separate bodily-relief sense that supports the compound's euphemistic verb use.

Usage tips

  • English-speaking children may link convenience mainly with objects, but Chinese also applies this word to times, plans, and actions, making it useful for talking about when something works.

Other meanings

  • easyadjective
  • use the bathroomverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word