verb / noun HSK 2
to plan · to intend · plan · intention
Meaning
打算 is a common everyday word meaning 'to plan' or 'to intend.' It expresses your intentions or future plans, whether definite or tentative. It can function as both a verb (to plan to do something) and a noun (a plan or intention).
Usage
This word is used in casual and formal contexts alike. As a verb, it's typically followed by another verb to express what you plan to do (打算 + verb). Natives use it constantly when discussing future actions, from immediate plans to long-term goals. It's more common in spoken language than its more formal synonym 计划.
Examples
- 01你明天打算做什么？?What do you plan to do tomorrow?
- 02我打算明年去中国学习汉语。.I plan to go to China next year to study Chinese.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个打算
Common collocations
- 打算做什么plan to do what
- 有打算to have a plan
- 没打算didn't plan to, have no intention
- 本来打算originally planned to
Origin
The combination of 打 (to do) and 算 (to calculate) literally suggests 'to do calculations' or 'to reckon,' which evolved to mean 'to make plans' or 'to figure out what to do.'