方便 (fāngbiàn) — convenient

方便 (fāngbiàn)

方便 means convenient or to be convenient. It describes something that is easy, practical, and saves time or effort. It can also function as a verb meaning to make things convenient or to accommodate. In colloquial Chinese it can also be a polite way to say "to use the toilet."

Meanings

1. [adjective] Convenient; easy to use or access; practical.
2. [verb] To be convenient (for someone); to be suitable.

Example Sentences

住在地铁附近很方便。 Zhù zài dìtiě fùjìn hěn fāngbiàn. Living near the subway is very convenient.

你方便的话，我们下午见面吧。 Nǐ fāngbiàn dehuà, wǒmen xiàwǔ jiànmiàn ba. If it is convenient for you, let us meet in the afternoon.

网上购物非常方便。 Wǎngshàng gòuwù fēicháng fāngbiàn. Online shopping is very convenient.

这个地方交通方便，什么都有。 Zhège dìfang jiāotōng fāngbiàn, shénme dōu yǒu. This place has convenient transportation and has everything.

Collocations

Memory Hook

方 (square/orderly) plus 便 (easy/comfortable). When everything is orderly, life becomes comfortable and easy. That is 方便. Note that 方便面 (instant noodles) literally means "convenient noodles" — the most famous 方便 product in China, ready in minutes with no fuss.