Translation and Meaning of: 便 - bin

The Japanese word 「便」 (bin) is fascinating, not only for its meaning but also for its etymology and the way it is used in different contexts. The origin of the kanji 「便」 traces back to ancient Chinese, where it conveyed the basic idea of "convenience" or "ease." This concept of utility and ease remains the foundation for many uses of the word in modern Japanese.

In terms of definition, 「便」 (bin) is often used to indicate things related to transportation and communication. One of the most common uses is to describe "flights" or "mail services." For example, 「飛行便」 (hikou bin) refers to an airplane flight, emphasizing the use of the word to highlight services that bring convenience and time savings to people. Additionally, 「便」 can appear in combinations that mean "message" or "news," reinforcing the connection with efficient communication.

This kanji also unfolds into different terms in Japanese vocabulary, such as 「便利」 (benri), which means "convenient," and 「便せん」 (binsen), which refers to "letter paper." Here, the radical 「リ」 in the kanji of 「利」, which often accompanies 「便」, indicates that it is something advantageous or beneficial. The varied and versatile use of 「便」 reflects the cultural importance of efficiency and convenience in contemporary Japan.

Interestingly,「便」also carries nuances that can be observed in the combination「便所」(benjo), which is a polite way of saying bathroom or toilet, thereby emphasizing a basic human need, once again linked to the idea of convenience and practicality. This usage highlights the multifaceted aspect of the word, which is not limited only to modern items and services, but also extends to everyday necessities.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 便利 (benri) - Convenience, ease of use.
• 便宜 (benigi) - Convenience, favor, benefit. It can have a connotation of ease in certain circumstances.
• 便所 (benjo) - Bathroom, toilet.
• 便箋 (bensen) - Letter paper, stationery.
• 便乗 (benjō) - Riding on something, convenient adherence to a situation or use of someone else's transportation.
• 便器 (benki) - Toilet, bathroom equipment.
• 便秘 (benpi) - Constipation, difficulty in passing stool.
• 便り (tayori) - Correspondence, news, message.
• 便意 (beni) - Need to urinate or defecate. Urgency feeling related to bodily functions.
• 便覧 (benran) - Guides or informational compendiums, manuals.

便

Romaji: bin
Kana: びん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: mail; postage; flight (for example, air flight); service; opportunity; chance; Letter

Meaning in English: mail;post;flight (e.g. airline flight);service;opportunity;chance;letter

Definition: A means or method to transport things.

Example Sentences - (便) bin

See below some example sentences:

自動車は便利な乗り物です。

Jidousha wa benri na norimono desu

Cars are convenient vehicles.

A car is a convenient vehicle.

• 自動車 (jidousha) - carro
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 便利 (benri) - convenient, useful
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 乗り物 (norimono) - means of transport
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

郵便局に行って手紙を出しました。

Yuubinkyoku ni itte tegami wo dashimashita

I went to the mail and sent a letter.

I went to the mail and gave a letter.

• 郵便局 - Post office
• に - particle indicating location
• 行って - Past tense form of the verb "ir"
• 手紙 - Carta
• を - particle that indicates the direct object
• 出しました - Past tense form of the verb "enviar

缶詰は便利な食品です。

Kanzume wa benri na shokuhin desu

Canned food is convenient food.

Canned food is a convenient food.

• 缶詰 (かんづめ) - enlatado
• は - Topic particle
• 便利 (べんり) - conveniente
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 食品 (しょくひん) - food
• です - Verb to be/estar

小便を我慢するのは辛いです。

Shouben wo gaman suru no wa tsurai desu

It is painful to endure urination.

It is painful to endure urination.

• 小便 - urine
• を - object particle
• 我慢する - endure, withstand
• のは - particle that indicates topic
• 辛い - difficult, painful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

和英辞書はとても便利です。

Wa Ei jisho wa totemo benri desu

A Japanese-English dictionary is very useful.

The Japanese-English dictionary is very convenient.

• 和英辞書 - Japanese-English Dictionary
• は - Topic particle
• とても - Muito
• 便利 - convenient, useful
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

不便な場所に住んでいる。

Fuben na basho ni sunde iru

Estou morando em um lugar inconveniente.

Eu moro em um lugar inconveniente.

• 不便な - adjetivo que significa "inconveniente" ou "desconfortável"
• 場所 - substantivo que significa "lugar" ou "local"
• に - partícula que indica a localização da ação
• 住んでいる - verbo que significa "morar" ou "residir", conjugado no presente contínuo

ドライクリーニングは衣服を綺麗にするために便利な方法です。

Doraikurīningu wa ifuku o kirei ni suru tame ni benri na hōhō desu

A lavagem a seco é um método conveniente para limpar roupas.

A limpeza a seco é uma maneira conveniente de limpar suas roupas.

• ドライクリーニング - palavra em katakana que significa "lavagem a seco"
• は - Topic particle
• 衣服 - palavra em kanji que significa "roupa"
• を - direct object particle
• 綺麗 - palavra em kanji que significa "limpo" ou "bonito"
• に - target particle
• する - verbo em forma de dicionário que significa "fazer"
• ために - expressão que significa "para"
• 便利 - palavra em kanji que significa "conveniente" ou "útil"
• な - sufixo que transforma o adjetivo em um adjetivo substantivado
• 方法 - palavra em kanji que significa "método" ou "maneira"
• です - verbo copulativo que indica o estado atual ou a existência de algo

この入れ物はとても便利です。

Kono iremono wa totemo benri desu

This box is very convenient.

This container is very convenient.

• この - this
• 入れ物 - recipiente
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 便利 - conveniente
• です - is

この定規はとても便利です。

Kono jōgi wa totemo benri desu

This ruler is very useful.

This ruler is very convenient.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 定規 - noun "ruler"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - advérbio "muito"
• 便利 - adjective "useful, convenient"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

この機械はとても便利です。

Kono kikai wa totemo benri desu

This machine is very useful.

This machine is very convenient.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that indicates something close to the speaker
• 機械 - substantivo que significa "máquina"
• は - Topic particle, indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 便利 - adjective meaning "useful", "convenient"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicates the state or quality of the subject