Meaning of 便利
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- convenient
- easy
- to facilitate
How to use 便利
便利 is a bit more formal or written than 方便 and often describes facilities, transport, or services. It can also be a verb meaning to make something easier for people. Example: 这里交通很便利。(Zhèlǐ jiāotōng hěn biànlì.) Transport here is very convenient.
便 (biàn) means handy or easy, as in 方便 (fāngbiàn), and 利 (lì) means benefit or advantage, as in 顺利 (shùnlì). Something that is handy and gives you an advantage is 便利, convenient.
Common mistake: Learners often read 便 as pián because of 便宜 (piányi), but in 便利 it is biàn, fourth tone. Also, 便利 is rarely used for personal timing, so say 你明天方便吗 rather than 你明天便利吗.
便利 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
便 biàn · plain · 9 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
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- 9
利 lì · sharp · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 便利.
| 随便 | suíbiàn | as one wishes; as one pleases |
| 顺利 | shùnlì | smoothly; without a hitch |
| 方便 | fāngbiàn | convenient; suitable; to facilitate; to make things easy |
| 便宜 | piányi | convenient |
| 流利 | liúlì | fluent |
| 方便面 | fāngbiànmiàn | instant noodles |
| 利用 | lìyòng | to exploit; to make use of |
| 胜利 | shènglì | victory |
| 有利 | yǒulì | advantageous; favorable |
| 权利 | quánlì | right (i.e. an entitlement to sth); (classical) power and wealth |
| 利益 | lìyì | benefit; (in sb's) interest |
| 利息 | lìxī | interest (on a loan) |
Questions about 便利
What does 便利 mean?
便利 (biànlì) means "convenient; easy" and is used as a adjective and verb.
How do you write 便利?
便利 is made of 2 characters: 便 (9 strokes), 利 (7 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 便利 an HSK word?
Yes. 便利 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 便利 and 方便?
Both mean convenient, but 方便 is more everyday and flexible. It can ask if a time suits someone or even politely refer to using the toilet. 便利 mostly describes conditions, facilities, or services in a more formal tone.
How do you say convenience store in Chinese?
A convenience store is 便利店 (biànlìdiàn). You will see this word on signs all over Chinese cities, for example 楼下有一家便利店 (lóuxià yǒu yì jiā biànlìdiàn), there is a convenience store downstairs.