便利 (べんり) vs 都合がいい
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 便利 (べんり)
Listen to 都合がいい
| 便利 (べんり) | 都合がいい |
|---|---|
ben-RI adjective (na-adjective) | つごうがいい adjective (na-adjective) |
| convenient; handy; useful in terms of ease or accessibility | convenient (in terms of timing or circumstances) |
How they differ
都合がいい refers to convenience of timing, schedules, or circumstances (e.g., 'that works for me'), whereas 便利 describes practical convenience of objects, places, or services. 都合がいい is about whether conditions suit someone, not about features or usability.
When to use each
When to use 便利 (べんり): Prefer 便利 when describing the usefulness or practicality of things, places, or systems.
When to use 都合がいい: Prefer 都合がいい when talking about whether a time, arrangement, or situation is convenient for someone.
Side-by-side examples
- 駅の近くで便利な場所にあります。
(It's in a convenient location near the station.) - その日なら都合がいいです。
(That day is convenient for me.)
Register & nuance: 都合がいい is neutral and common in everyday speech; it is not typically used to describe object features the way 便利 is.