便びん

noun, noun, used as a suffix

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.

• 東とう京きょう行いきの便びんを予よ約やくした。

  I booked a service to Tokyo.

• 次つぎの便びんは午ご後ご三さん時じに出しゅっ発ぱつします。

  The next flight leaves at three in the afternoon.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

mail; post; letter

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.

• この書しょ類るいは航こう空くう便びんで送おくってください。

  Please send these documents by airmail.

• 荷に物もつは船ふな便びんで届とどく予よ定ていです。

  The package is scheduled to arrive by sea mail.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

opportunity; chance

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.

• 来らい月げつ上じょう京きょうの便びんがありますので、その際さいにお届とどけします。

  I will have an opportunity to go to Tokyo next month, so I will deliver it then.