计算
jì suàn · to calculate; to compute
我们先计算总价。
Let’s calculate the total price first.
Chinese character · HSK 2
算 (suàn) — “to calculate / to compute”
Two hands (廾) manipulating bamboo counting rods (竹) while observing them closely with the eye (目).
Memory cue
Two hands (廾) moving bamboo rods (竹) while the eye (目) carefully watches to calculate the result.
Video mnemonic
Watch 算 in motion
See the visual story unfold, then connect it to the words and sentences below.
Common ways to use 算
These words show 算 in direct calculation, planning, judging something, and a fixed expression for giving up.
计算机
jì suàn jī · computer
教室里有一台计算机。
There is a computer in the classroom.
Usage note: Think of it literally as a machine that computes.
打算
dǎ suàn · to plan; to intend
我打算明天去北京。
I plan to go to Beijing tomorrow.
Usage note: Use this before an intended action; it usually means “plan,” not “calculate.”
算是
suàn shì · to count as; to be considered
这算是一个好消息。
This counts as good news.
Usage note: Here, 算 extends from counting numbers to counting or judging something as belonging to a category.
算了
suàn le · forget it; let it go
太晚了，算了吧。
It’s too late—forget it.
Usage note: Use this fixed expression when you decide not to continue or not to worry about something.
Inside the character
- 竹 (bamboo) — meaning component. Two stalks of bamboo — often marks bamboo, slats, or anything written on bamboo.
- 目 (eye) — meaning component. Often marks seeing, watching, attention, or anything to do with the gaze.
- 廾 (two hands raised) — meaning component. Two hands held up together — a structural bottom piece in characters about offering or holding.
Where 算 comes from
An ancient ideogramic compound depicting the act of calculation: hands (廾) arranging bamboo counting rods (竹) under the careful scrutiny of an eye (目).
Don’t mix up 算
These characters are close enough in shape to misread at speed. Telling them apart is a matter of spotting the one component that differs.
- 等 (děng, to wait / etc.) — Both contain 竹 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
- 管 (guǎn, tube / pipe) — Both contain 竹 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
- 简 (jiǎn, simple / brief) — Both contain 竹 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
- 弄 (nòng, to play with / to do) — Both contain 廾 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
- 答 (dá, to answer / to reply) — Both contain 竹 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
Learn 算 the visual way. InkSeal pairs every HSK 1–6
character with an illustration like this one, Common-use words and sentences,
component breakdowns, etymology, and recall-first review. The first 100
characters are free.
More characters: 系 (xì / jì, system / to connect) · 织 (zhī, to weave / to knit) · 给 (gěi, to give / to) — or browse the full character library.