Chinese characters can sometimes be confusing. In this post, we take a look at four similar looking characters and examine some ways to remember and distinguish them.
| Character | Pinyin | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 更 | gèng | more / even more |
| 更 | gēng | part of 更改 (gēnggǎi) change |
| 便 | biàn | convenient |
| 便 | pián | part of 便宜 (piányi) cheap |
I chose these two characters with four meanings because they’re relatively common and I myself have been having problems remembering how to write them down due to the similarity of the forms and two of them having multiple readings. They also happen to be on the HSK vocabulary lists from level 3 onwards.
Let’s look at each of them in context to make it easier to remember, then devise some memory aids to easily distinguish them from each other.
More fun with 更 (gèng)!
Here’s the definition.
- 更 (gèng)
- {A} adv. more; still/even more further; furthermore
And some sample sentences.
他没有放慢速度，反而把车开的更快了。
Tā méiyǒu fàngmàn sùdù, fǎn’ér bǎ chē kāi de gèng kuài le.
He didn’t slow down. On the contrary, he drove faster.
我们必须征募更多士兵。
Wǒmen bìxū zhēngmù gèng duō shìbīng.
We must enlist more men.
It’s time for 更改 (gēnggǎi)
Here’s the same character but with another meaning.
- 更 (gēng)
- part of the word 更改 gēnggǎi – change or alter
飞机更改了航线。
Fēijī gēnggǎi le hángxiàn.
The plane altered course.
时刻表有可能更改。
Shíkèbiǎo yǒu kěnéng gēnggǎi.
The timetable is subject to alteration.
Ironically, the tone for this meaning (gēng) doesn’t change since it’s just a high tone. There you go, two pronunciations and meanings for the character 更. Up next is a character that looks quite similar, but with a twist.
More Convenient
This next character actually contains the previous character. We just add a component 亻(人 rén) on the left side. That’s why my memory aid for this character is “more convenient for people.”
- 便 (biàn), typically as part of 方便
- adj. convenient
- phrase. to go to the lavatory
Some sample sentences.
有了它真是方便。
Yǒu le tā zhēn shì fāngbiàn.
It really comes in handy.
你什么时候最方便？
Nǐ shénmeshíhou zuì fāngbiàn?
When is the most convenient time for you?
It’s Cheaper! For People
Same character as convenient. Well, cheaper is indeed more convenient for people.
- 便 (pián)
- adj. cheap, typically as part of 便宜 (piányi)
Some sample sentences.
她的那双鞋看上去很便宜。
Tā de nà shuāng xié kàn shàngqu hěn piányi.
Her shoes look cheap.
现在的禽肉相当便宜。
Xiànzài de qín ròu xiāngdāng piányi.
Poultry is rather cheap now.
In the next part, I’ll tackle 使 (shǐ) – make or cause to happen, and 史 (also shǐ) – history.