以便...
So that...
Littéralement: By/With (以) + Convenience/Ease (便)
Use it to explain the 'why' behind your 'what' in a logical, organized way.
En 15 secondes
- Connects an action to its intended purpose or goal.
- Translates to 'so that' or 'in order to facilitate.'
- Common in professional emails, instructions, and planning.
Signification
Think of this as the bridge between an action and its purpose. It's like saying 'I'm doing X so that Y can happen' or 'in order to make Y possible.'
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a professional email
请发送您的简历，以便我们安排面试。
Please send your resume so that we can arrange an interview.
Giving directions to a friend
我把地图发给你，以便你找到餐厅。
I'll send you the map so that you can find the restaurant.
At a doctor's office
请留个电话，以便医生联系您。
Please leave a number so the doctor can contact you.
Contexte culturel
The term draws from the concept of 'convenience' (biàn), which is central to Chinese hospitality and service. It became a staple of modern Mandarin as a way to bridge formal written logic with practical daily communication. It reflects a mindset of 'pre-arranging' success.
The 'Two-Part' Rule
Always ensure you have an action before `以便`. It doesn't work by itself; it needs a 'cause' to lead to the 'effect'.
Don't confuse with 'Because'
New learners often mix this up with `因为` (yīnwèi). Remember: `因为` looks backward at the reason; `以便` looks forward at the goal.
En 15 secondes
- Connects an action to its intended purpose or goal.
- Translates to 'so that' or 'in order to facilitate.'
- Common in professional emails, instructions, and planning.
What It Means
以便 is a conjunction that connects two parts of a sentence. The first part is the action you take. The second part is the goal you want to achieve. It is much more purposeful than just saying 'and.' It shows you are being thoughtful. You are doing something specifically to make the next step easier or possible.
How To Use It
You place 以便 right before the second clause. The structure is: [Action], 以便 [Purpose]. For example, 'Leave your phone number, 以便 I can contact you.' It feels very logical. It flows like a smooth river from cause to effect. You don't need a new subject after 以便 if the subject remains the same. If the subject changes, just put the new person right after 以便.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound organized and clear. It’s perfect for work emails where you need to explain why you're asking for something. It’s great for travel plans too. 'Let's meet at 8 AM 以便 we beat the crowds.' It shows you have a plan. It makes you sound like someone who has their life together. Use it when the result is a positive benefit or a logical convenience.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for accidents or negative results. You wouldn't say 'I tripped 以便 I broke my leg.' That sounds like you broke your leg on purpose! Also, avoid it in extremely short, slangy texts with best friends. In those cases, 为了 (wèile) or just 好 (hǎo) is more common. 以便 is a bit too 'buttoned-up' for a 2 AM taco run conversation. If the goal is a person's feelings rather than a practical result, it might feel a bit stiff.
Cultural Background
This phrase has roots in classical Chinese. The character 便 (biàn) actually relates to convenience and ease. In ancient times, it was about making things 'smooth.' Today, it reflects the Chinese cultural value of efficiency and foresight. Being 'proactive' is highly respected in Chinese social and professional circles. Using 以便 shows you are thinking three steps ahead. It’s the language of a strategist.
Common Variations
You might hear 为了 (wèile) which is the most common way to say 'for' or 'in order to.' There is also 好让 (hǎoràng) which is the much more casual, spoken version. If you want to be super formal, you might see 以利于 (yǐ lìyú) which means 'to be beneficial for.' But 以便 is the 'Goldilocks' of the group. It’s just right for most daily and professional interactions.
Notes d'usage
It bridges the gap between casual and formal. It is particularly useful in 'if-then' logic where you are explaining the necessity of a specific action.
The 'Two-Part' Rule
Always ensure you have an action before `以便`. It doesn't work by itself; it needs a 'cause' to lead to the 'effect'.
Don't confuse with 'Because'
New learners often mix this up with `因为` (yīnwèi). Remember: `因为` looks backward at the reason; `以便` looks forward at the goal.
The 'Face' Saver
Using `以便` in requests makes you sound polite and logical rather than demanding. It explains your reasoning so the other person feels helpful, not ordered around.
Exemples
6请发送您的简历，以便我们安排面试。
Please send your resume so that we can arrange an interview.
Classic professional usage for next steps.
我把地图发给你，以便你找到餐厅。
I'll send you the map so that you can find the restaurant.
Helpful and clear communication.
请留个电话，以便医生联系您。
Please leave a number so the doctor can contact you.
Standard administrative request.
我把钥匙放在地毯下，以便你进屋。
I put the key under the mat so you can get in.
Practical and slightly more formal than just using '好'.
我先吃饱，以便有力气减肥。
I'll eat my fill first so that I have the strength to diet.
A common joke about the struggle of dieting.
我想多赚点钱，以便给你更好的生活。
I want to earn more money so I can give you a better life.
Expressing a deep motivation for one's actions.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
请大家保持安静，___ 考试顺利进行。
The sentence explains that silence is the action taken 'so that' the exam can proceed smoothly.
Complete the logic of the sentence.
早点出门，___ 避开堵车。
Leaving early is the action; avoiding traffic is the intended purpose.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'So That'
Used with friends
好让 (hǎo ràng)
Everyday planning
以便 (yǐbiàn)
Official documents
以利于 (yǐ lìyú)
Where to use 以便
Work Email
Send files so I can review.
Travel
Book early to get a seat.
Health
Exercise to stay fit.
Social
Share location to meet up.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! While it's common in writing, people use it in spoken Chinese whenever they want to be clear and organized, like in a meeting or when giving instructions.
Usually, no. It needs to follow an action. You wouldn't start with 'So that...'; you'd say 'Do this, so that...'
为了 (wèile) can come at the very beginning of a sentence (为了健康，我不喝酒), whereas 以便 must follow the action.
It's fine for texting colleagues or acquaintances. For your best friend, you might just use 好 (hǎo) as in 发给我，我好看看.
No, 以便 implies a desired or logical purpose. You wouldn't use it for something you want to avoid unless the action is specifically to prevent it.
No. You can say 'I do this 以便 you can do that.' Just place the second subject right after 以便.
Yes, 以便于 (yǐbiànyú) is a slightly more formal version often used in technical manuals or legal documents.
Yes, it's very common to see 以便...可以.... For example: 请早点来，以便我们可以早点开始.
For negative purposes, it's better to use 以免 (yǐmiǎn), which specifically means 'in order to avoid'.
Yes, it typically appears around the HSK 4 or B1 level because it involves complex sentence structures.
Expressions liées
为了
In order to / For the sake of
以免
In order to avoid / Lest
好让
So that (more casual/spoken)
从而
Thus / Thereby
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