便条

• Pinyin: biàn tiáo
• Hanzi breakdown: 便 = 亻(person) + 更 (change); 条 = 夂 (walk slowly) + 木 (wood)

Meaning

Note; memo; short written message. A brief informal written communication.

A short handwritten or printed note left for someone. Common in office and home settings. 便条纸 means notepad or sticky notes.

Examples

1. 他出门前在桌上留了一张便条给妻子。 Before he left, he left a note on the table for his wife.
2. 老板在我桌上放了一张便条，让我下午去他办公室。 The boss put a note on my desk asking me to go to his office this afternoon.
3. 她习惯用便条记下重要的事情，免得忘记。 She's in the habit of jotting down important things on notes so she won't forget.

Usage Guide

Context: office, home, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我给你留了张便条。(I left you a note.)
• 便条上写的什么？(What does the note say?)

Don't Say

• 把正式文件叫'便条'——便条是非正式的简短留言 (Don't call formal documents 便条 — 便条 refers to informal short notes)

Origin & History

Compound of 便 (convenient/simple) + 条 (strip/piece), meaning a simple slip of paper for quick messages.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal