算盘 (suàn pán) — (noun) abacus; (noun) scheme, plan (often in idioms like 打小算盘)
Definition
Literally 'abacus' — the physical counting frame (一把算盘). Metaphorically, 打小算盘 means 'to scheme / look out for one's own interest,' more colloquial and self-interested than the formal 计 or 企图.
noun
abacusschemeplan (often in idioms like 打小算盘)
Measure word · 把
Examples
- 算盘，。Tā mǎi le yì bǎ xīn suàn pán, dǎ suàn jiào hái zi xué.He bought a new abacus, planning to teach the child with it.
- ，。Nǐ bié dǎ nǐ de xiǎo suàn pán le, zhè jiàn shì dà jiā dōu yào gōng píng.Stop your petty scheming — everyone should be fair in this matter.
- ，。Tā suàn pán dǎ dé hǎo, dàn zǒng wèi zì jǐ de lì yì dǎ suàn.He is good at calculating, but he always schemes for his own benefit.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.