以便
HSK 5- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Conjunction 以便 is used to connect two clauses, indicating the purpose of the action in the preceding clause.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
以便 is a formal conjunction used to introduce the purpose of the action stated in the preceding clause. The clause following 以便 explains "in order to do what."
Unlike 为了 (for the purpose of), 以便 cannot appear at the beginning of a sentence. It always follows the main action. The subject of the action after 以便 is typically the same as that of the preceding clause and is omitted. This structure is commonly found in written language or formal announcements.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 请留下电话，以便我们联系你。繁: 請留下電話，以便我們聯繫你。Qǐng liúxià diànhuà, yǐbiàn wǒmen liánxì nǐ.
Please leave your phone number so that we can contact you.
- 我会把重点记下来，以便以后复习。繁: 我會把重點記下來，以便以後複習。Wǒ huì bǎ zhòngdiǎn jì xiàlái, yǐbiàn yǐhòu fùxí.
I will write down the key points so that I can review them later.
- 请大家早点到，以便准时开会。繁: 請大家早點到，以便準時開會。Qǐng dàjiā zǎodiǎn dào, yǐbiàn zhǔnshí kāihuì.
Please arrive a bit early so that the meeting can start on time.
- 公司提供了班车，以便员工上下班。繁: 公司提供了班車，以便員工上下班。Gōngsī tígōng le bānchē, yǐbiàn yuángōng shàngxiàbān.
The company provides shuttle buses to facilitate employees' commuting to and from work.
- 请把文件整理好，以便查找。繁: 請把文件整理好，以便查找。Qǐng bǎ wénjiàn zhěnglǐ hǎo, yǐbiàn cházhǎo.
Please organize the documents neatly so that they are easy to find.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:以便找到好工作，他努力学习。Correct:他努力学习，以便找到好工作。
以便 cannot stand at the beginning of a sentence to indicate purpose; it must come after the main action. To place the purpose at the beginning, use 为了 instead.