便利

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. スマートフォンはとても便利です。▶ —
   Smartphones are very convenient.
2. 便利な道具をたくさん使います。▶ —
   I use many convenient tools.

Collocations

Mnemonic

べんり — 便利, Sino-Japanese. A na-adjective. Unpack the two kanji ── 便 (ease) + 利 (benefit) = 'easy and beneficial'. The Korean reading pyeonri matches character for character. So does the antonym ── 不便 fuben (inconvenient). A default yardstick for judging Japanese urban life ── 駅が近くて便利 (convenient because the station is near) is the most common line when choosing a home. A Japanese-coined clipping grew from this kanji ── コンビニ konbini is short for コンビニエンスストア (convenience store). The Japanese habit of clipping loanwords (the same pattern as テレビ, スマホ) made a word that has now spread back out to the world. 便利屋 benriya ('the convenience shop') is a distinctly Japanese business of handymen who clean, move, and do odd jobs. The Korean readings pyeon / ri are sister to the onyomi べん / り.

Quick check

1. Origin of "konbini" and its Japanese coinage?

   • Japanese abbreviation of English "convenience store"
   • From Korean pyeon-ui-jeom
   • From Chinese 便利店
   • German loanword