算

suàn

竹 + 𥃲

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

suàn (verb) to calculate; to compute

suàn (verb) to regard as; to consider

Etymology

Depicts a tool (具) made from bamboo (⺮) for performing calculations, such as an abacus.

About

算 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 具 (tool), originally depicting a bamboo calculating device such as counting rods or an abacus. The lower component 具 once showed two hands (廾) holding a vessel, a form later simplified to 目. While the related character 筭 named the physical bamboo rods, 算 was the verb "to calculate". Over time its sense broadened to planning, and later to being considered or counting toward a total.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这道题怎么算？

Zhè dào tí zěnme suàn?

How do you calculate this problem?

你打算去哪里？

Nǐ dǎsuàn qù nǎlǐ?

Where do you plan to go?

他算是个好人。

Tā suànshì gè hǎo rén.

He can be considered a good person.

请计算总金额。

Qǐng jìsuàn zǒng jīn'é.

Please calculate the total amount.

我打算明天去北京。

Wǒ dǎsuàn míngtiān qù Běijīng.

I plan to go to Beijing tomorrow.

这笔账算不清了。

Zhè bǐ zhàng suàn bù qīng le.

This account is too messy to settle.

根据计算，结果正确。

Gēnjù jìsuàn, jiéguǒ zhèngquè.

According to the calculation, the result is correct.

即便算上所有因素，我们也无法预测。

Jíbiàn suàn shàng suǒyǒu yīnsù, wǒmen yě wúfǎ yùcè.

Even after taking all factors into account, we still cannot predict.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 竹

算