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计较 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
计较jìjiàoto bother aboutHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
计较jìjiàoto haggleHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
计较jìjiàoto bickerHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
计较jìjiàoto argueHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
计较jìjiàoplanHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
计较jìjiàostratagemHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #10536, Very Hard
jìjiào(ji4jiao4)ji jiao T4
  1. 1to bother about
  2. 2to haggle
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March 24, 2026

计较(計較)jìjiào(ji4jiao4)

计较 (jì jiào) means to fuss over small details or to argue about minor issues. It often implies a sense of being overly concerned with trivial matters, suggesting a mindset that focuses on every little detail rather than the bigger picture. This term can also refer to the act of haggling or negotiating, especially in financial contexts.

Strokes14Frequency#10536DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being overly 计较 can sometimes be viewed as a negative trait, suggesting that one is not able to see the bigger picture or is too concerned with materialism. This reflects broader societal values that prioritize harmony and community over individual disputes.

Memory tip

Imagine a calculator (计) that measures every tiny detail (较) in a negotiation. Picture someone obsessively calculating costs and benefits, symbolizing the fussiness of arguing over small things. This vivid imagery connects the character's form to its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 计较

jìjiào(ji4jiao4)
1to bother about
2to haggle
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 计较

计较Simplified
計較Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10536Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 计较

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Podcast: 计较

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AI study notes for 计较

Quick Contrast

计较 (jì jiào) vs 辩论 (biàn lùn) — choose 计较 when referring to fussing over trivial matters, while 辩论 implies a formal discussion or argument on significant issues.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 计较 with similar terms like 争论 (zhēng lùn), which means to debate, rather than argue about trivial matters. It's generally used in informal contexts, but can be considered slightly negative if used to describe someone’s behavior. Common collocations include '不必计较' (there's no need to fuss) and '计较钱' (to haggle over money).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 计较 connects with other advanced vocabulary around negotiation and argumentation. Focus on its usage in conversational contexts where emotions and opinions may differ, enhancing your understanding of interpersonal dynamics in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 计较 in contexts where a more neutral term like 讨论 (tǎo lùn) would be appropriate, as in '我们来计较这个问题' instead of '我们来讨论这个问题'. It’s crucial to remember that 计较 has a negative connotation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 计较

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Component characters

计jìto calculate
HSK 74 strokes讠
View full entry
较jiàocomparatively
HSK 510 strokes车
View full entry

How to say to bother about in Chinese

“to bother about” in Chinese is计较jìjiào

计较 (jì jiào) means to fuss over small details or to argue about minor issues. It often implies a sense of being overly concerned with trivial matters, suggesting a mindset that focuses on every little detail rather than the bigger picture. This term can also refer to the act of haggling or negotiating, especially in financial contexts.

When to use 计较

Learners often confuse 计较 with similar terms like 争论 (zhēng lùn), which means to debate, rather than argue about trivial matters. It's generally used in informal contexts, but can be considered slightly negative if used to describe someone’s behavior. Common collocations include '不必计较' (there's no need to fuss) and '计较钱' (to haggle over money).

计较 or something close to it

计较 (jì jiào) vs 辩论 (biàn lùn) — choose 计较 when referring to fussing over trivial matters, while 辩论 implies a formal discussion or argument on significant issues.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 计较 in contexts where a more neutral term like 讨论 (tǎo lùn) would be appropriate, as in '我们来计较这个问题' instead of '我们来讨论这个问题'. It’s crucial to remember that 计较 has a negative connotation.

Write 计较

计
较

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

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Grammar patterns of 计较

计较 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 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 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这种小事何必跟他____呢?

Why bother arguing with him over such a small matter?

Example sentences for 计较 (19)

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vto bother about13
1
他斤斤计较文字的精确性,有时到了小题大作的程度.

tā jīn jīn jìjiào wénzì de jīngquè xìng, yǒushí dào le xiǎo tí dà zuō de chéngdù.

His insistence upon precision of language is apt to seem fussy.
2
在工作中,他总是对同事的小错误计较,很难合作。

Zài gōngzuò zhōng, tā zǒng shì duì tóngshì de xiǎo cuòwù jìjiào, hěn nán hézuò.

At work, he always bothers about his colleagues' minor mistakes, making it hard to cooperate.
3
她对过去的失败不再计较,而是专注于未来的目标。

Tā duì guòqù de shībài bù zài jìjiào, érshì zhuānzhù yú wèilái de mùbiāo.

She no longer bothers about past failures, but focuses on future goals.
4
在这个项目中,他从不计较任何细节,只关注整体效果。

Zài zhège xiàngmù zhōng, tā cóng bù jìjiào rènhé xìjié, zhǐ guānzhù zhěngtǐ xiàoguǒ.

In this project, he never bothers about any details, only focuses on the overall effect.
5
生活中,她学会了不再计较别人的看法,活得更自在。

Shēnghuó zhōng, tā xuéhuìle bù zài jìjiào biérén de kànfǎ, huó de gèng zìzài.

In life, she learned not to bother about others' opinions, living more freely.
6
对于一些小事,他总是计较得太多,影响了他的心情。

Duìyú yīxiē xiǎoshì, tā zǒng shì jìjiào de tài duō, yǐngxiǎngle tā de xīnqíng.

Regarding some trivial matters, he always bothers too much, affecting his mood.
7
为了家庭的和谐,她选择不再计较丈夫的抱怨。

Wèile jiātíng de héxié, tā xuǎnzé bù zài jìjiào zhàngfū de bàoyuàn.

For the sake of family harmony, she chooses not to bother about her husband's complaints.
8
在工作中,他总是对同事的小错误计较,很难合作。

Zài gōngzuò zhōng, tā zǒng shì duì tóngshì de xiǎo cuòwù jìjiào, hěn nán hézuò.

At work, he always bothers about his colleagues' minor mistakes, making it hard to cooperate.
9
她对过去的失败不再计较,而是专注于未来的目标。

Tā duì guòqù de shībài bù zài jìjiào, érshì zhuānzhù yú wèilái de mùbiāo.

She no longer bothers about past failures, but focuses on future goals.
10
在这个项目中,他从不计较任何细节,只关注整体效果。

Zài zhège xiàngmù zhōng, tā cóng bù jìjiào rènhé xìjié, zhǐ guānzhù zhěngtǐ xiàoguǒ.

In this project, he never bothers about any details, only focuses on the overall effect.
11
生活中,她学会了不再计较别人的看法,活得更自在。

Shēnghuó zhōng, tā xuéhuìle bù zài jìjiào biérén de kànfǎ, huó de gèng zìzài.

In life, she learned not to bother about others' opinions, living more freely.
12
对于一些小事,他总是计较得太多,影响了他的心情。

Duìyú yīxiē xiǎoshì, tā zǒng shì jìjiào de tài duō, yǐngxiǎngle tā de xīnqíng.

Regarding some trivial matters, he always bothers too much, affecting his mood.
13
为了家庭的和谐,她选择不再计较丈夫的抱怨。

Wèile jiātíng de héxié, tā xuǎnzé bù zài jìjiào zhàngfū de bàoyuàn.

For the sake of family harmony, she chooses not to bother about her husband's complaints.
vto haggle6
14
在市场上买东西时,顾客常常和商贩计较价格。

Zài shìchǎng shàng mǎi dōngxī shí, gùkè chángcháng hé shāngfàn jìjiào jiàgé.

When shopping at the market, customers often haggle over prices with vendors.
15
他喜欢在跳蚤市场上计较,以便获得更好的交易。

Tā xǐhuān zài tiàozǎo shìchǎng shàng jìjiào, yǐbiàn huòdé gèng hǎo de jiāoyì.

He likes to haggle at the flea market to get better deals.
16
即使价格不贵,他也总是忍不住要计较一番。

Jíshǐ jiàgé bù guì, tā yě zǒngshì rěnbuzhù yào jìjiào yī fān.

Even if the price is not high, he can't resist haggling a bit.
17
在市场上买东西时,顾客常常和商贩计较价格。

Zài shìchǎng shàng mǎi dōngxī shí, gùkè chángcháng hé shāngfàn jìjiào jiàgé.

When shopping at the market, customers often haggle over prices with vendors.
18
他喜欢在跳蚤市场上计较,以便获得更好的交易。

Tā xǐhuān zài tiàozǎo shìchǎng shàng jìjiào, yǐbiàn huòdé gèng hǎo de jiāoyì.

He likes to haggle at the flea market to get better deals.
19
即使价格不贵,他也总是忍不住要计较一番。

Jíshǐ jiàgé bù guì, tā yě zǒngshì rěnbuzhù yào jìjiào yī fān.

Even if the price is not high, he can't resist haggling a bit.

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Frequently asked questions about 计较

While 计较 refers to fussing over small details or haggling, 争论 means to engage in a debate or argument about a significant issue.

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