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计算 (jì suàn) — to calculate; to compute; to count

Definition

计算 is the general 'to calculate / compute' verb, covering math, prices, and costs. Narrower than 统计 (systematic tallying for statistics) and more general than 推算/测算 (calculate by inference or measurement).

verb
to calculateto computeto count
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 计算。
    Qǐng yòng jì suàn jī jì suàn zhè dào tí.
    Please use a computer to calculate this problem.
  • 计算？
    Nǐ néng jì suàn chū zǒng jià qián ma?
    Can you calculate the total price?
  • 计算。
    Tā zhèng zài jì suàn gōng sī de chéng běn.
    He is calculating the company's costs.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

计jìreckon
算suàncompute

计 and 算 both involve reckoning, so the word means to calculate or compute.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 計; 计 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 計 pairs 言 (say) with 十 (all). The simplified 计 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical shape.

Open 计 →

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
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