Definitions

(verb) to calculate; to compute; to count
(verb) to plan; to scheme
(noun) meter; gauge

Etymology

Depicts saying () numbers () to count or calculate.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 计, traditionally written as 計, is a phono-semantic compound. Its radical 言 (yán, speech) provides the semantic category, while the component 十 (shí, ten) offers the phonetic hint. In its simplified form, the speech radical is written as 讠. The original meaning centered on calculating or counting, likely arising from the practice of vocalizing numbers. This sense later expanded to include broader intellectual acts such as planning, strategizing, and devising schemes.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

划明天去。

Wǒ jìhuà míngtiān qù.

I plan to go tomorrow.

公司有新的划。

Gōngsī yǒu xīn de jìhuà.

The company has a new plan.

算数学题很难。

Jìsuàn shùxué tí hěn nán.

Calculating math problems is hard.

请你时十分钟。

Qǐng nǐ jìshí shí fēnzhōng.

Please time ten minutes.

这张图花了三天。

Shèjì zhè zhāng tú huā le sān tiān.

Designing this drawing took three days.

数据显示增长。

Tǒngjì shùjù xiǎnshì zēngzhǎng.

Statistical data shows growth.

这个谋非常巧妙。

Zhè ge jìmóu fēicháng qiǎomiào.

This stratagem is very clever.

下周完成项目。

Yùjì xià zhōu wánchéng xiàngmù.

It is estimated that the project will be completed next week.