The word **划算** is a compound formed by combining two characters, each contributing to its overall meaning of "cost-effective" or "worth it." The first character, **划 (huá)**, carries connotations of planning, scheming, or literally "to scratch a line," implying a process of measurement or calculation. The second character, **算 (suàn)**, directly means "to calculate" or "to compute." When combined, the term literally signifies "calculate the plan," evolving into the modern sense of evaluating whether the benefit outweighs the cost, thus determining if an action, purchase, or effort is advantageous or a good deal.