便是

• Pinyin: biàn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 便 = 亻(person) + 更, then; 是 = 日 (sun) + 疋, to be

Meaning

That is; exactly; even if. A literary expression meaning 'is precisely' or 'even if.'

Has two main uses: (1) emphatic identification meaning 'is precisely' or 'that's exactly'; (2) concessive meaning 'even if' or 'even though.' More formal and literary than 就是. Often appears in written Chinese, classical-style prose, or dramatic speech.

Examples

1. 这位便是我们久仰大名的王教授。 This is the Professor Wang whose great reputation we have long heard of.
2. 便是下刀子，我也要去参加这场比赛。 Even if it rains knives, I'm going to participate in this competition.
3. 他说的便是这个意思，你理解得没错。 That's exactly what he meant — you understood correctly.

Usage Guide

Context: literary, dramatic, formal introduction

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这便是我要说的话。(This is precisely what I wanted to say.)
• 便是再难，我也不会放弃。(Even if it's harder, I won't give up.)

Don't Say

• 口语中避免使用'便是' (Avoid using 便是 in casual speech — it sounds overly literary; use 就是 instead)

Origin & History

Classical Chinese construction combining 便 (then) + 是 (to be), creating an emphatic or concessive expression.

Cultural Context

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated