方便一下

fāngbiànyīxià
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 to 'take a moment to be convenient' (euphemism for going to the toilet)
  2. 2 to relieve oneself (polite)

Examples

Wǒ qù fāngbiàn yīxià, mǎshàng huílái.
I'm going to freshen up a moment, I'll be right back.
Nín xiān fāngbiàn yīxià ba.
Why don't you go ahead and use the bathroom first?

Tips

mistakes
方便 has three meanings that can trip learners: (1) 'convenient' (adjective), (2) 'to help out / accommodate', and (3) the euphemism 'to use the toilet'. Context disambiguates: 什么时候方便? = when are you free/convenient? but 我去方便一下 = I'm going to the loo. Don't say 方便 to mean 'I can't make it' right after someone asks about your schedule or you'll get puzzled looks.

Stroke Order

fāng
便 biàn
xià