Meaning of 算
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to calculate; to figure out
- to include; to count in
- to count; to be valid; to carry weight
- to regard as; to consider (to be ...)
How to use 算
算 means to calculate, but it is just as common in the sense of "to count as" or "to be considered." It also appears in everyday words like 打算 (dǎsuàn, to plan) and 算了 (suànle, forget it). Example: 他算是我的老师。 (Tā suàn shì wǒ de lǎoshī.) He counts as my teacher.
算 has bamboo 竹 on top, 目 (eye) in the middle, and a pair of hands at the bottom. Picture hands moving bamboo counting sticks while your eyes watch the total, and you are calculating.
Common mistake: Learners often write the middle part as 日 instead of 目. The middle of 算 has two horizontal strokes inside, like an eye. Also keep the fourth tone suàn, and do not confuse it with 蒜 (suàn, garlic), which has a grass radical on top.
算 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
算 suàn · to calculate · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 算.
| 打算 | dǎsuàn | to plan; to intend |
| 计算机 | jìsuànjī | computer; (Tw) calculator |
| 计算 | jìsuàn | to calculate; to compute; to consider; to think over |
| 总算 | zǒngsuàn | at long last; finally |
| 就算 | jiùsuàn | (coll.) even if |
| 算了 | suànle | let it be; let it pass |
| 算是 | suànshì | considered to be; at last |
| 不算 | bù suàn | to not calculate; to not count |
| 预算 | yùsuàn | budget |
| 算账 | suànzhàng | (accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts; (fig.) to settle an account; to get |
| 算计 | suànjì | to reckon; to calculate |
| 划算 | huásuàn | to calculate; to weigh (pros and cons) |
Questions about 算
What does 算 mean?
算 (suàn) means "to calculate; to figure out; to include; to count in" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 算?
算 is made of 1 character: 算 (14 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 算 an HSK word?
Yes. 算 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What does 算了 mean and when do I say it?
算了 (suànle) means "forget it" or "never mind." You say it when you want to drop a matter, for example 算了，我们不去了。 (Suànle, wǒmen bú qù le.) Forget it, we're not going.
What does 不算 mean?
不算 (bú suàn) means "doesn't count" or "not really." For example, 这次不算 (zhè cì bú suàn) means "this time doesn't count," and 不算贵 (bú suàn guì) means "not really expensive."