便是 (biàn) — (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)

Examples

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

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