How to use 以便
Preparatory action，以便 + intended outcome / easier action
以便 introduces the purpose or useful outcome an earlier action is intended to facilitate. The first clause sets up preparation, an arrangement, or a decision; the second explains what that makes possible or easier. English often uses so that or in order to. The construction expresses intention and facilitation, not proof that the desired result actually occurred.
Place 以便 before the intended outcome, with a subject if the person changes or clarity requires it. 能 or 可以 may appear when the point is enabling an action. Compared with conversational 好, 以便 suits more formal planning and explanation. Keep it distinct from a connector reporting a consequence that happened without any purpose behind it.
Examples with pinyin and English
我们很早就去了机场， 以便能赶上最早的飞机。
We got to the airport very early so we could make the earliest flight.
我正在存钱， 以便我能买一套房子。
We're saving money so we can buy a house.
公司准备派人去客户那里， 以便能和客户更好地沟通。
The company is preparing to send someone to the clients so as to be able to better communicate with them.
我国提倡垃圾分类， 以便回收再利用。
My country advocates garbage sorting to help with reuse and recycling.
What to remember
- Use 以便 for an intended benefit.
- Allow 能 or 可以 to clarify what becomes possible.
- Do not equate purpose with an achieved result.
Practise the pattern
Practise this topic with the app’s grammar exercises. Your answers and review dates are saved separately from vocabulary practice.
Practise this grammar topic ↗Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.