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).
How to remember 算
Two hands (廾) moving bamboo rods (竹) while the eye (目) carefully watches to calculate the result.
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).
Words that use 算
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 打算 | dǎ suàn | to plan / to intend | HSK 2 |
| 计算 | jì suàn | to count / to calculate | HSK 3 |
| 计算机 | jì suàn jī | computer / (Tw) calculator | HSK 2 |
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More characters: 系 (xì / jì, system / to connect) · 织 (zhī, to weave / to knit) · 罪 (zuì, sin / crime) — or browse the full character library.