Meaning of 算了
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- let it be
- let it pass
- forget about it
How to use 算了
算了 is very common in speech to drop a topic, give up on a plan, or tell someone not to worry. It often stands alone or comes at the end of a sentence. Example: 太贵了，算了吧。(Tài guì le, suànle ba.) It's too expensive, forget it.
算 (suàn) means to count or calculate, and 了 (le) marks something as finished. When you say 算了, you are saying the counting is over, so just let it go.
Common mistake: Learners often read 了 here as liǎo or give it a full tone, but in 算了 it is a light neutral tone: suànle. Also, 算了 can sound dismissive or annoyed, so saying it to a boss or stranger who is apologizing may come across as cold.
算了 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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了 le · completed action marker · 2 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 算了.
| 打算 | dǎsuàn | to plan; to intend |
| 计算机 | jìsuànjī | computer; (Tw) calculator |
| 为了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| 除了 | chúle | apart from; besides; in addition to (used to exclude, as in 除了他，誰也沒來|除了他，谁也没来[chu2 le5 ta1 |
| 极了 | jí le | extremely; exceedingly |
| 计算 | jìsuàn | to calculate; to compute; to consider; to think over |
| 了解 | liǎojiě | to understand; to know about; to learn about; to find out |
| 了不起 | liǎobuqǐ | amazing; terrific |
| 受不了 | shòubuliǎo | unbearable; unable to endure |
| 总算 | zǒngsuàn | at long last; finally |
| 不得了 | bùdéliǎo | desperately serious; disastrous |
| 得了 | déle | all right!; that's enough! |
Questions about 算了
What does 算了 mean?
算了 (suànle) means "let it be; let it pass" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 算了?
算了 is made of 2 characters: 算 (14 strokes), 了 (2 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 算了 an HSK word?
Yes. 算了 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 算了 and 没关系?
没关系 (méi guānxi) politely means "it doesn't matter" when someone apologizes. 算了 means "drop it" or "never mind," and often shows you are giving up or slightly frustrated.
Can 算了 be used in the middle of a sentence?
Yes. It can mean "just settle for" in a pattern like 你不来就算了 (nǐ bù lái jiù suànle), "If you don't come, then forget it." It can also follow a choice: 我们走路去算了, "Let's just walk."