verb HSK 2
to count · to calculate · to consider as · to regard as
Meaning
算 is a versatile verb meaning to calculate or count, but also frequently means 'to consider something as' or 'let it be/forget it'. It's one of the most common verbs in everyday Mandarin for both mathematical operations and making judgments about things.
Usage
Native speakers use 算 in many idiomatic ways beyond just math. 算了 (suàn le) means 'forget it/never mind'. 算是 (suàn shì) means 'can be considered as'. In questions like 这算什么? it means 'what does this count as?' It's also used in the pattern 算…account/count/include someone/something.
Examples
- 01你算一下这些数字加起来是多少。.Calculate how much these numbers add up to.
- 02算了，我们别争了。, .Forget it, let's not argue anymore.
Common collocations
- 算了forget it, never mind
- 算是can be considered as
- 算账to settle accounts, to do accounting
- 算数to count (as valid)
Origin
The character 算 originally depicted bamboo counting rods (竹 radical on top) used in ancient Chinese mathematics, combined with the eye radical, suggesting careful calculation.