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算了 (suàn le) — let it be, forget about it (expressing resignation or giving up on something)

Definition

算了 expresses giving up or letting something go — a resigned "forget it, never mind." Unlike 罢了, it is not used to downplay a statement after 不过 or 只是; it always signals dropping the matter.

let it beforget about it (expressing resignation or giving up on something)

Examples

  • 算了，。
    suàn le, Wǒ men xià cì zài shuō ba.
    Forget it, let's talk about it next time.
  • 。
    Nǐ yào shi jué de bù fāng biàn jiù suàn le.
    If you think it's inconvenient, just forget it.
  • ，。
    Yǐ jīng jué dìng le, jiù suàn le.
    Since it's already decided, just let it be.

Origin

Characters in this word

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Emotions & Feelings

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