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算 (suàn) — to calculate, compute; to figure (out); to regard as; to consider (that something is the case); (adverb, in phrases) anyway, after all; used in 算了 for 'forget it'

Definition

算 is the everyday verb 'to calculate' and, with 是, means 'to regard as' (他算我的好朋友). Don't confuse the verb 计算 (more formal, focused computing) with 数 (counting items one by one).

to calculatecomputeto figure (out)to regard asto consider (that something is the case)(adverb, in phrases) anywayafter allused in 算了 for 'forget it'
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Tā hěn kuài jiù suàn chū le dá àn.
    He quickly calculated the answer.
  • 。
    Tā suàn shì wǒ de hǎo péng you.
    He is considered my good friend.
  • ，。
    suàn Le, bié zài shuō zhè jiàn shì le.
    Forget it, don't talk about this anymore.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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.

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsMath2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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