便

2 readings · tap one to hear it

plain; informal; suitable; convenient; opportune; to urinate or defecate; equivalent to 就[jiu4]: then; in that case; even if; soon afterwards

Sound it out + + = · + + =

Formation & memory

Break the character into parts you already know.

Components 亻更

convenient · Heisig RSH #836

人 person + 更 even more

Keyword method from Heisig's Remembering Simplified Hanzi.

The most common words first — learning a character in context makes it stick.

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
行动不便	xíng dòng bù biàn	unable to move freely; difficult to get about
大小便	dà xiǎo biàn	using the toilet; urination and defecation
拉大便	lā dà biàn	to poop; to defecate
便民利民	biàn mín lì mín	(policy jargon) to make life easier and better for the public
便利性	biàn lì xìng	convenience
不方便	bù fāng biàn	inconvenience; inconvenient
小便器	xiǎo biàn qì	urinal
方便面	fāng biàn miàn	instant noodles
女子无才便是德	nǚ zǐ wú cái biàn shì dé	a woman's virtue is to have no talent (idiom)
不便	bù biàn	inconvenient; inappropriate; unsuitable; short of cash
便人	biàn rén	sb who happens to be on hand for an errand
大便	dà biàn	to defecate; excrement; feces
便中	biàn zhōng	at one's convenience; when it's convenient
自便	zì biàn	to do as one pleases; to not inconvenience oneself
小便	xiǎo biàn	urine; to urinate; (euphemism) penis or vulva
不成功便成仁	bù chéng gōng biàn chéng rén	to succeed or die trying (idiom)
便利	biàn lì	convenient; easy; to facilitate
便道	biàn dào	pavement; sidewalk; shortcut; makeshift road
便车	biàn chē	a lift; a ride; (fig.) an opportunity to benefit from another's success or circumstances
小便斗	xiǎo biàn dǒu	urinal

These characters use 便 as their sound component — compare how they read.