Meaning of 算是
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- considered to be
- at last
How to use 算是
算是 often softens a judgment, meaning "more or less counts as" or "can be considered." It can also mean "at last" when something finally happens. Example: 他算是我的老师。(Tā suànshì wǒ de lǎoshī.) He can be considered my teacher.
算 (suàn) means to calculate or count, and 是 (shì) means to be. If something "counts as being" something, it is considered to be that thing, even if not perfectly.
Common mistake: Learners often use 算是 as a strong, neutral "is" in place of 是 (shì), but 算是 suggests "sort of" or "roughly counts as," so 他算是好人 sounds less definite than 他是好人. Also do not confuse it with 还是 (háishi), which means "still" or "or" in questions.
算是 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
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
是 shì · to be · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 算是.
| 还是 | háishi | still (as before); had better |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 但是 | dànshì | but; however |
| 可是 | kěshì | but; however; (used for emphasis) indeed |
| 打算 | dǎsuàn | to plan; to intend |
| 正是 | zhèngshì | is precisely |
| 老是 | lǎoshì | always |
| 计算机 | jìsuànjī | computer; (Tw) calculator |
| 就是 | jiùshì | exactly; precisely; only; simply; just |
| 只是 | zhǐshì | merely; only; just; nothing but; simply |
| 要是 | yàoshi | (coll.) if |
| 总是 | zǒngshì | always |
Questions about 算是
What does 算是 mean?
算是 (suànshì) means "considered to be; at last" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 算是?
算是 is made of 2 characters: 算 (14 strokes), 是 (9 strokes). That is 23 strokes in total.
Is 算是 an HSK word?
Yes. 算是 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 算是 and 算?
算 alone can also mean "to count as," as in 这不算什么 (zhè bú suàn shénme), "this is nothing." 算是 is a bit more formal and fixed as an adverb. It is common in positive statements like 这算是成功了.
How is 算是 used to mean "at last"?
It expresses relief that something finally happened after waiting or effort. For example, 问题算是解决了 (wèntí suànshì jiějué le) means "the problem is finally solved." A 了 (le) at the end is common in this use.