Purpose Compound: ……以便…… (So That / In Order To)
……，以便……
Express purpose using the formal conjunction 以便 to indicate "so that" or "in order to"
Use 以便 between two clauses to indicate that the first action is done for the purpose of achieving the second outcome. The first clause is the preparation or action; the second clause is the desired result.
以便 (yǐbiàn) is more formal and written than 为了 or 好. It is commonly found in official documents, news articles, and formal speech. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say 好 (hǎo) or 方便 (fāngbiàn) to express the same idea.
Lesson Targets
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Podcast: Purpose Compound: ……以便…… (So That / In Order To) (……，以便……)
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Understanding ……，以便……
The 以便 structure is a formal way of expressing purpose — "so that" or "in order to." It connects an action to its intended outcome: 我们要早一点儿出门，以便乘坐第一班公交车 (We need to leave a bit earlier so that we can catch the first bus). Unlike 为了 which can appear at the beginning of a sentence, 以便 always appears in the middle, connecting two clauses. The first clause presents what you do or plan to do, and the clause after 以便 states the goal or benefit. This conjunction is particularly common in written Chinese — you will encounter it in news, instructions, and business communication. While it sounds natural in formal contexts, using it in casual daily conversation may sound overly stiff.
Key Points
- 以便 means "so that / in order to" and connects an action to its intended purpose.
- It always appears between two clauses — never at the beginning of a sentence.
- More formal than 为了, 好, or 为的是; best suited for written or formal spoken Chinese.
- The subject of the 以便 clause can be different from the subject of the main clause.
- Often appears in instructions, announcements, and business contexts.
- Can be replaced by 好 in casual speech: 你把电话号码留下，好跟你联系.
In Chinese official communication — government notices, company memos, and academic writing — 以便 is the standard way to express purpose. Learning to use it correctly is essential for anyone who needs to read or write formal Chinese documents.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我们要早一点儿出门，以便乘坐第一班公交车。
We need to leave a bit earlier so that we can catch the first bus.
她每天步行上班，以便锻炼身体。
She walks to work every day in order to exercise.
把手机号留下吧，以便跟你联系。
Please leave your phone number so that we can contact you.
请提前预约，以便我们安排时间。
Please make an appointment in advance so that we can arrange the time.
公司决定增加培训，以便提高员工的专业水平。
The company decided to increase training in order to raise employees' professional level.
我把资料整理好了，以便明天开会用。
I organized the materials so that they can be used in tomorrow's meeting.
Common Mistakes
以便 cannot start a sentence. It must appear between the action clause and the purpose clause. If you want purpose first, use 为了.
When the subject is the same in both clauses, do not repeat it after 以便. A comma should separate the two clauses.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
以便 always sits in the middle between two clauses — never at the beginning.
In casual speech, replace 以便 with 好: 你早点儿来，好占个好位子.
Use 以便 in written work, emails, and formal presentations to sound professional.
Remember: 以便 is for purpose (not result). The outcome after 以便 is what you hope to achieve, not what already happened.
Homework
Write six formal sentences using 以便. Try writing about workplace situations (emails, meetings, projects). Then rewrite each sentence using 好 or 为了 and note how the tone changes.