TongTong
Sign in

盘算 (pán suan) — to calculate in one's mind; to weigh and consider carefully

Definition

盘算 means to weigh and calculate in one's mind, often for personal gain. Unlike 计算 (objective computing) or 谋划 (strategic planning), it carries a self-interested, sometimes scheming tone — closer to 算计.

verb
to calculate in one's mindto weigh and consider carefully

Examples

  • 盘算。
    Tā zhèng zài xīn lǐ pán suan zhe xià yí bù de jì huà.
    He is mulling over the next step in his mind.
  • 盘算。
    Tā zǒng shì pán suan zhe zěn me zhàn bié rén de pián yi.
    He is always scheming about how to take advantage of others.
  • 盘算。
    Jīng lǐ zhèng zài pán suan chéng běn.
    The manager is calculating the costs in his head.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

盘pánweigh
算suàncalculate

盘 suggests weighing accounts, and 算 means calculating, together describing careful planning in the mind.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 盤; 盘 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
皿皿mǐn
Sound part声符shēngfú
般
般bān盤pán
Same sound today

The traditional form 盤 pairs 般, which gives the sound, with 皿, a vessel. This note is about 盤, not the simplified 盘.

Open 盘 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The current form 算 has 竹 on top, 目 in the middle, and 廾 below; the 目 part may have originally drawn counting rods, often made of bamboo.

Open 算 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Thinking & Cognition

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.