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Online Chinese Lessons - Mistakes about "方便 (fāngbiàn)"

                     Hai,               nǐ fāngbiàn de shíhou wŏ qù zhăo nǐ ba.
      Zhang Li: 嗨，Jason，你    方便     的    时候   我 去   找   你 吧。
    

                    Wŏ fāngbiàn de shíhou nǐ bù néng lái.
          Jason: 我   方便       的  时候    你 不   能   来。    

      Zhang Li: What?

           Jason: How can you come when I am in the toilet?

      Zhang Li: Haha!

Do you know why Zhang Li burst into laughter when she heard Jason’s words?

Learn the phrase “方便 (fāngbiàn)” from our online Chinese lessons:

In Chinese, “方便 (fāngbiàn)” has two meanings: “to go to the toilet” and “to be convenient.” So in the dialogue, Zhang Li wanted to visit Jason at his convenience, but Jason misunderstood it as Zhang Li wanted to visit him when he was in the toilet.”

Now, go back to read the dialogue between Zhang Li and Jason again. Do you find it easier to understand it now?

Key Learning Points:

  方便 (fāngbiàn): v. to go to the toilet/ adj. to be convenient   

Examples:

  Duìbuqǐ, wŏ xiăng qù fāngbiàn yí xià.
    对不起，我   想    去    方便    一 下。    
  Sorry, I want to go to the toilet.

  Zhōumò wŏ qù zhăo nǐ, fāngbiàn ma?
    周末     我 去    找   你，  方便     吗？    
  I would like to visit you on Saturday. Is it convenient?