transport service; flight; train or ferry run
Used for a scheduled transport service, especially as a counter-like suffix or noun in expressions such as 東京行きの便, 次の便, 第一便.
I booked a service to Tokyo.
次の便は午後三時に出発します。
The next flight leaves at three in the afternoon.
Common in compounds and suffix-like uses for mail or delivery methods, such as 航空便, 船便, 速達便, and 宅配便. Standalone 便 meaning a letter can sound more formal or old-fashioned than 手紙.
この書類は航空便で送ってください。
Please send these documents by airmail.
荷物は船便で届く予定です。
The package is scheduled to arrive by sea mail.
A somewhat formal or old-fashioned use meaning an occasion or opportunity to do something; often seen in phrasing like 上京の便 or 便がある.
来月上京の便がありますので、その際にお届けします。
I will have an opportunity to go to Tokyo next month, so I will deliver it then.
The flight to Tokyo was fully booked.
Since I had a business trip as an opportunity, I delivered the documents in person.
I arrived at the venue on the first flight.
I booked next week's flight online.
I departed by boarding the early morning flight.
writing paper; stationery; notepaper
charter flight
express dispatch; urgent correspondence
increase in the number of flights; additional flights
surface mail; sea mail · ferry service; steamer service
all flights; entire fleet · all mail
handbook; manual; compendium
express home delivery service; courier service · express home delivery parcel; courier package
airmail · air service; air transport (of goods)
express delivery mail; special delivery post
flight number
hairdresser's room in a shogun's or noble's residence
emperor's temporary sojourn; temporary imperial residence
available ship; ship ready for boarding · board a ship; take a ship
olive-backed pipit; Indian tree pipit
previous letter; previous mail
first flight; maiden voyage · first letter; first correspondence