Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
计 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
surname JiHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to calculateHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to computeHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to countHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to regard as importantHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to planHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
ruseHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
meterHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
gaugeHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
to calculate, to count; to plan, to reckon; plot, schemeHSK 7, n, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #3728, Hard
(Ji4) T4
  1. 1to calculate
  2. 2to compute
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(計)(Ji4)

The character 计 (jì) primarily means 'to calculate' or 'to count.' It is commonly used in contexts involving mathematics, planning, or strategizing, and can also refer to schemes or plots. In addition, it can serve as a surname, particularly Ji.

Strokes4RadicalFrequency#3728DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, planning and foresight are highly valued, reflected in the use of 计 in everyday life, from business strategies to personal budgeting. The use of calculation is often seen as a sign of intelligence and careful consideration.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clever accountant calculating numbers on an abacus. The character 计 resembles an abacus with its horizontal and vertical strokes, emphasizing the idea of counting and computation.

Meanings of 计

(Ji4)
1to calculate
2to compute
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 计

Simplified
Traditional
4Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3728Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCTCEFRC2

Podcast: 计

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 计

Quick Contrast

算 (suàn) - use 计 (jì) for formal or strategic calculations, while 算 (suàn) is more casual or everyday counting.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a clever accountant calculating numbers on an abacus. The character 计 resembles an abacus with its horizontal and vertical strokes, emphasizing the idea of counting and computation.

Usage Notes

Students often confuse 计 with similar characters like 记 (jì), which means 'to remember.' It's important to use 计 in contexts related to calculations or planning rather than memory. Common collocations include 计划 (jìhuà - plan) and 计算 (jìsuàn - calculate).

HSK Study Tips

Although 计 is not in HSK levels 1-6, it connects with other words related to planning and calculations, such as 计划 (plan) and 计算 (calculate). Students should focus on using this character in practical scenarios involving numbers and strategies.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, planning and foresight are highly valued, reflected in the use of 计 in everyday life, from business strategies to personal budgeting. The use of calculation is often seen as a sign of intelligence and careful consideration.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 计 with 记, using it incorrectly in contexts related to memory. For example, saying 我记个计划 (Wǒ jì gè jìhuà - I remember a plan) should be corrected to 我计划一个计划 (Wǒ jìhuà yī gè jìhuà - I plan a plan).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 计

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 计

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 計. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 十 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 计?

Decomposition of 计

IDS Structure⿰讠十
Full Character
=
yan2
left
shi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 计?

Write 计

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 计

计 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

房租按天或者按月____算。

Rent is calculated by the day or by the month.

Common Confusions with 计

vs

Similar shape but different sound and meaning.

vs

Same pinyin but different meanings.

记 means 'to remember' or 'to record', while 计 involves counting or computing.

1

我记得那个信息。 (I remember that information.)

记 means 'to remember' or 'to record', while 计 involves counting or computing.

💡Both are related to cognition, but 记 is about memory and 计 is about calculation.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to calculate"?

or

Usage Notes for 计

Confusing usage with similar charactersCommon Error

Be careful not to confuse 计 with 记, as they have different meanings and usages.

1

我需要计算这个问题。 (I need to compute this problem.)

The correct character is 计.

2

我记下了那个电话号码。 (I recorded that phone number.)

The correct character is 记.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我需要____算这个问题。 (I need to compute this problem.)

The correct character is 计.

Example Sentences for 计 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
护士把体温计甩了甩,然后放到了我的腋下。

hù shì bǎ tǐ wēn jì shuǎi le shuǎi, , rán hòu fàng dào le wǒ de yè。

The nurse shook the thermometer and put it under my armpit.
2
谁愿意从一家要倒闭的公司买计算机呢?

shuí yuàn yì cóng yī jiā yào dǎo bì de gōng sī mǎi jì suàn jī ne?

Who wants to buy a computer from a failing company?
3
大致的估计费用为每月9,000万美元。

dà zhì de gū jì fèi yòng wéi měi yuè9,000 9,000 wàn měi。

Ballpark estimates indicate a price tag of $90 million a month.
4
重新设计的目的是多方面的,但又是简单的。

zhòng xīn shè jì de mù de shì duō fāng miàn de, , dàn yòu shì jiǎn dān。

The aims of the redesign are wide-ranging but simple.
5
成千上万家新成立的公司已涌进了计算机市场。

chéng qiān shàng wàn jiā xīn chéng lì de gōng sī yǐ yǒng jìn le jì suàn jī shì cháng。

Thousands and thousands of start-up firms have poured into the computer market.
6
预计这幅画将售得两三百万英镑。

yù jì zhè fú huà jiāng shòu dé liǎng sān bǎi wàn yīng bàng。

The painting is expected to fetch between two and three million pounds.
7
这款汽车巧妙地将经典式样融入到流线型的现代设计中。

zhè kuǎn qì chē qiǎo miào dì jiāng jīng diǎn shì yàng róng rù dào liú xiàn xíng de xiàn dài shè jì zhōng。

The car neatly blends classic styling into a smooth modern package.
8
从一开始我就看穿了你的小计谋。

cóng yī kāi shǐ wǒ jiù kàn chuān le nǐ de xiǎo jì móu。

I saw through your little ruse from the start.
9
其估计数目300与另一项调查的结果相吻合。

qí gū jì shù mù300 300 yǔ lìng yī xiàng tiáo chá de jié guǒ xiāng wěn。

Its own estimate of three hundred tallies with that of another survey.
10
预计这项法案将在下一届议会中通过。

yù jì zhè xiàng fǎ àn jiāng zài xià yī jiè yì huì zhōng tōng guò。

The legislation is expected to be passed in the next parliament.

Cultural Notes for 计

💡Did you know?

在中国的古代,‘计’常常与军事战略有关,许多兵法中都包含计谋的运用。

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, planning and foresight are highly valued, reflected in the use of 计 in everyday life, from business strategies to personal budgeting. The use of calculation is often seen as a sign of intelligence and careful consideration.

📜Proverb

‘三思而后行’与‘计’的含义相辅相成,强调在做决定之前需要深思熟虑。

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

许多文化中,计算和计划被视为成功的重要因素。在西方文化中,常用‘measure twice, cut once’来强调准备的重要性。

Word Family of 计

Words Containing This Character20
计划jìhuàplan計劃
伙计partner伙計
设计shèjìplan設計
估计gūjìto estimate估計
统计tǒngjìstatistics統計
预计yùjìto forecast預計
计算jìsuànto count計算
to calculate
审计to audit審計
计算机jìsuànjīcomputer計算機
设计师shèjìshīdesigner設計師
会计kuàijìaccountant會計
累计lěijìto accumulate累計
会计师accountant會計師
共计gòngjìto sum up to共計
计时jìshíto time計時
计较jìjiàoto haggle計較
合计héjìto add up the total合計
诡计trick詭計
统计学statistics統計學
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 计划 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 计

While both 计 (jì) and 计算 (jìsuàn) relate to counting or computing, 计算 specifically means 'to calculate' and often implies more complex mathematical operations. 计 can also be used in broader contexts like planning or strategizing.