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便利 (biàn lì) — convenient, easy; to facilitate, to make convenient

Definition

便利 is a more formal/written alternative to 方便 ('convenient'), and as a verb means 'to facilitate' — close to 便于 but used more for abstract benefits than concrete ease.

convenienteasyto facilitateto make convenient

Examples

  • 便利，。
    Zhè ge chāo shì hěn biàn lì, jiù zài wǒ jiā páng biān.
    This supermarket is very convenient, right next to my house.
  • 便利。
    Yòng shǒu jī zhī fù mǎi dōng xī hěn biàn lì.
    Using mobile payment to buy things is very convenient.
  • 便利。
    Xīn xiū de gōng lù biàn lì le dāng dì jū mín de chū xíng.
    The newly built road facilitated local residents' travel.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

便biànconvenient
利lìsmooth

The parts both point to smoothness and convenience, so together they mean easy to use or helpful.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

便 pairs 亻 (person) with 更 (to change), showing a person changing posture to become comfortable.

Open 便 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

利 combines 禾 (grain) and 刀 (knife), showing a knife used to cut grain.

Open 利 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 6Good & Bad

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