便 (biàn)

plain; informal; suitable; convenient; opportune; to urinate or defeca

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 𠓥 represents the sound. Originally written as 𠓥, which depicted a hand holding a whip with the 丙 component. Based on the original meaning "whip a person", now written as 鞭. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“便,安也。人有不便,更之。从人、更。”

Original meaning

whip a person

Components