Definition
算 (suàn) is a versatile verb meaning 'to calculate' or 'to regard as'. As 'calculate', it's more general than 计算 (jìsuàn, 'compute, do math') and 数 (shǔ, 'count one by one'). As 'regard as', it expresses a subjective judgment (e.g., 算我的 'count it as mine'), unlike 打算 (dǎsuàn) which means 'plan/intend'. The adverb use in phrases like 算了 means 'forget it, let it go'.
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
- 第dìlook-alike(prefix) used before a number to form ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)
- 酸suānsound-alikesour, tart
- 蒜suànsound-alikegarlic
Examples
- 。Tā hěn kuài jiù suàn chū le dá'àn.He quickly calculated the answer.
- 。Tā suàn shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.He is considered my good friend.
- ，。suàn le, bié zài shuō zhè jiàn shì le.Forget it, don't talk about this anymore.
Grammar
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