便

biàn, pián

亻 + 更

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

biàn (adjective) convenient; suitable; handy

biàn (adverb) then; in that case

biàn (verb) to relieve oneself

pián (adjective) cheap; inexpensive

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 𠓥 represents the sound. Originally written as 𠓥, which depicted a hand holding a whip with the 丙 component. Based on the original meaning "whip a person", now written as 鞭. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 便 is a phono-semantic compound: the person radical 亻 (rén) provides the semantic link to human activities, while the component 更 (gèng) contributes the sound. Its primary meaning centers on convenience, describing something handy, suitable, or easy for a person. It also commonly functions as an adverb meaning “then” or “simply.” Additionally, 便 acquired a distinct secondary sense as a formal noun for bodily waste, specifically urine and feces.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这样做很方便。

Zhè yàng zuò hěn fāngbiàn.

Doing it this way is very convenient.

这本书很便宜。

Zhè běn shū hěn piányi.

This book is very cheap.

我写了一张便条。

Wǒ xiě le yī zhāng biàntiáo.

I wrote a note.

他去便利店买东西。

Tā qù biànlìdiàn mǎi dōngxi.

He goes to the convenience store to buy things.

他吃完饭便走了。

Tā chī wán fàn biàn zǒu le.

He left as soon as he finished eating.

只要你努力，便能成功。

Zhǐ yào nǐ nǔlì, biàn néng chénggōng.

As long as you work hard, you can succeed.

他一看便知道发生了什么事。

Tā yī kàn biàn zhīdào fāshēng le shénme shì.

He knew what happened as soon as he saw it.

既然你已经决定了，我便不再多说。

Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, wǒ biàn bù zài duō shuō.

Since you have already decided, I will not say more.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亻

Component: 更

便