How to say, Convenient in Mandarin

Positive Uses of 方便

Meaning: “Convenient” or “To Make Things Easier”

1. 这家超市离我家很近，买东西很方便。
   (Zhè jiā chāoshì lí wǒ jiā hěn jìn, mǎi dōngxi hěn fāngbiàn.)
   → This supermarket is very close to my home, so it’s very convenient for shopping.
2. 请告诉我您的方便时间，我们可以约个会议。
   (Qǐng gàosù wǒ nín de fāngbiàn shíjiān, wǒmen kěyǐ yuē gè huìyì.)
   → Please let me know your available time, so we can schedule a meeting.
3. 在大城市生活很方便，交通发达，商店也多。
   (Zài dà chéngshì shēnghuó hěn fāngbiàn, jiāotōng fādá, shāngdiàn yě duō.)
   → Life in a big city is very convenient—transportation is developed, and there are many stores.

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Negative Uses of 方便

1. Indirect Way to Say “Go to the Bathroom” (Euphemism)

• 对不起，我去方便一下。
  (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ qù fāngbiàn yíxià.)
  → Sorry, I need to go to the restroom.
  (This is a polite way to excuse yourself.)

2. Asking for a Favor That Might Be Impolite or Too Demanding

• 能不能方便借我点钱？ (Sounds like you’re forcing the person to lend you money)
  (Néng bù néng fāngbiàn jiè wǒ diǎn qián?)
  → Can you lend me some money?
  _(This can sound a bit pushy. A better way is: 你能借我点钱吗？)*
• 如果你方便的话，能来帮我一下吗？ (Better, more polite)
  (Rúguǒ nǐ fāngbiàn de huà, néng lái bāng wǒ yíxià ma?)
  → If it’s convenient for you, could you help me?

3. Implying Something Is “Too Easy” (Sarcasm)

• 他考试都是抄答案，当然很方便！
  (Tā kǎoshì dōu shì chāo dá’àn, dāngrán hěn fāngbiàn!)
  → He copies answers during exams, of course, it’s “convenient”!
  (Here, 方便 is used sarcastically to mean “taking the easy way out.”)

Exercise 1: Choose the Right Use of 方便

Decide whether each sentence is a positive or negative use of 方便:

1. 这里有很多超市，买东西很方便。
   (Zhèlǐ yǒu hěn duō chāoshì, mǎi dōngxi hěn fāngbiàn.)
2. 不好意思，我去方便一下。
   (Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ qù fāngbiàn yíxià.)
3. 他考试作弊，当然很方便。
   (Tā kǎoshì zuòbì, dāngrán hěn fāngbiàn.)
4. 如果你方便的话，我们明天见面可以吗？
   (Rúguǒ nǐ fāngbiàn de huà, wǒmen míngtiān jiànmiàn kěyǐ ma?)
5. 他不想做作业，总是找人帮忙，太方便了！
   (Tā bù xiǎng zuò zuòyè, zǒngshì zhǎo rén bāngmáng, tài fāngbiàn le!)

✍️ Write “positive” or “negative” next to each sentence.

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Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank with 方便

Fill in the blanks with 方便 in the correct way:

1. 这个公寓离公司很近，________上下班。
   (Zhège gōngyù lí gōngsī hěn jìn, ________ shàngxiàbān.)
2. 我想问一下，你什么时候________通话？
   (Wǒ xiǎng wèn yíxià, nǐ shénme shíhòu ________ tōnghuà?)
3. 我今天肚子不舒服，能________去一下厕所吗？
   (Wǒ jīntiān dùzi bù shūfú, néng ________ qù yíxià cèsuǒ ma?)
4. 这里有很多公交站，出行很________。
   (Zhèlǐ yǒu hěn duō gōngjiāo zhàn, chūxíng hěn ________.)
5. 如果________，请帮我把这个文件交给经理。
   (Rúguǒ ________, qǐng bāng wǒ bǎ zhège wénjiàn jiāogěi jīnglǐ.)

✍️ Fill in the blanks, and I’ll check your answers!

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Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Try making two sentences using 方便, one in a positive way and one in a negative way.

For example:
✅ 正面 (positive): 这个APP可以在线订票，真的很方便！
(Zhège APP kěyǐ zàixiàn dìngpiào, zhēn de hěn fāngbiàn!)
❌ 负面 (negative): 他总是让别人帮忙做作业，太方便了吧！
(Tā zǒngshì ràng biérén bāngmáng zuò zuòyè, tài fāngbiàn le ba!)