The word 算 (suàn) has a number of uses which can be translated in a number of ways. None of these is particularly hard to understand, but for the sake of clarity, we've brought them all together in one place. The common theme is that 算 indicates some kind of judgment, and may be thought of as "counts as" or "is considered to be."

Used with Adjectives

Affirmative Pattern

Besides these commonly used fixed expressions, the word 算 (suàn) or the phrase "还算" (hái suàn) can also be used together with an adjective. 说出来有比较意味。

Structure

Examples

这家店的东西算便宜的。Zhè jiā diàn de dōngxi suàn piányi de.The things in this shop are fairly cheap.
我 算是 幸运的。Wǒ suàn shì xìngyùn de.I'm lucky actually.
我女儿算听话的。Wǒ nǚér suàn tīnghuà de.My daughter fairly does what it's told.
在我们公司，我算年轻的。Zài wǒmen gōngsī, wǒ suàn niánqīng de.I'm fairly young in our company.
你老板算大方的，我老板更抠。Your boss is fairly

Negative Pattern

Structure

Examples

今天 不算 太热。Jīntiān bù suàn tài rè.It can't be considered too hot today.
这次考试 不算 难。Zhè cì kǎoshì bù suàn nán.This examination can't considered difficult.
三十岁结婚 不算 晚。Sānshí suì jiéhūn bù suàn wǎn.It can't be considered to be late to get married at 30.
他才一米七五，不算 很高。Tā cái yī mǐ qīwǔ, bù suàn hěn gāo.He's only 1.75 meter. He can't be considered to be very tall.
剪个头发五十块，不算 贵。Jiǎn gè tóufa wǔshí kuài, bù suàn guì.Fifty kuai for a haircut. It can't be considered expensive.

Used with Noun

Structure

Examples

你家谁算老大？Nǐ jiā shéi suàn lǎodà?Who can be considered as the boss in your family?
深圳算中国最重要的城市之一。Shēnzhèn suàn Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de chéngshì zhīyī.Shenzhen can be considered as one of the most important cities in China.
美国的中国菜算真正的中国菜吗？Měiguó de Zhōngguó cài suàn zhēnzhèng de Zhōngguó cài ma?Can American Chinese food considered as real Chinese food?
这已经 不算 秘密了。Zhè yǐjīng bù suàn mìmì le.It's no longer a secret.

Colloquial Sayings with 算

Examples

算你狠！Suàn nǐ hěn!Well aren't you!
你算老几？Nǐ suàn lǎojǐ?Who do you think you are?
这 不算 什么。Zhè bù suàn shénme.It's no big deal.

Used with Adjectives

Affirmative Pattern

Structure

Examples

Negative Pattern

Structure

Examples

Used with Noun

Structure

Examples

Colloquial Sayings with 算

Examples

Sources and further reading

Books