便是 (biàn shì) — (emphatic copula) exactly is, that is; (conjunction) even if (in 便是…也… pattern)

Definition

便是 is a formal/written equivalent of "就是" — use it for emphasis or in a concession pattern (便是…也…, 'even if… still…'), where "even if" works better than "exactly is".

verb
(emphatic copula) exactly isthat is
conjunction
even if (in 便是…也… pattern)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 便是。
    Zhè biàn shì wǒ yào zhǎo de shū.
    This is exactly the book I'm looking for.
  • 便是。
    Tā biàn shì wǒ men de xīn lǎo shī.
    He is our new teacher.
  • 便是，。
    biàn shì Xià yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù.
    Even if it rains, I still want to go.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

便biàneven or just
是shìbe

便 means even or just and 是 means be; together they express exactly is or even if.

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 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →

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