Definition
便 (biàn) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'then; in that case' or 'as soon as' (in the 一…便… pattern). It is more written/formal than 就 (jiù), the common spoken equivalent. Unlike the conjunctions 那 (nà) and 那么 (nà me), 便 directly attaches to the verb within the same clause.
adverb
thenin that case (indicating a natural consequence or immediate response)as soon as (used in the 一…便… construction)
Easily confused
- 硬yìnglook-alike(adjective) hard, stiff, solid (physically)
- 变biànsound-aliketo change (intransitive)
- 更gènglook-alikemore, even more (degree adverb used in comparisons)
- 遍biànsound-alike(classifier) for the number of times an action is performed fully from start to finish; 'time(s)'
- 边biānsound-alikeside; edge; border; margin
- 编biānsound-aliketo weave, to plait (e.g., hair, baskets)
- 扁biǎnsound-alikeflat
- 辩biànsound-aliketo debate, to argue, to dispute
Examples
- ，便。Tā yì tīng zhège xiāoxi, biàn gāoxìng de tiào le qǐlái.As soon as he heard the news, he jumped for joy.
- ，便。Rúguǒ nǐ míngtiān yǒu kòng, wǒ biàn qù zhǎo nǐ.If you are free tomorrow, I will come to see you.
- 便。Tā chī wán fàn biàn qù túshūguǎn le.He went to the library right after finishing his meal.
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