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算账 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
算账suànzhàng(accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts; (fig.) to settle an account; to get one's revengeHSK 7, v, 22 strokes, rank #12419, Very Hard
suànzhàng(suan4zhang4) T4
  1. 1(accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts
  2. 2(fig.) to settle an account; to get one's revenge
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March 24, 2026

算账suànzhàng(suan4zhang4)

算账 (suànzhàng) means to calculate accounts or settle accounts. It is commonly used in contexts involving financial transactions, budgeting, and reconciling expenses. The term can also imply evaluating situations or responsibilities.

Strokes22Frequency#12419DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, maintaining accurate financial accounts is essential for business integrity and relationships. The practice of 算账 reflects the importance placed on transparency and accountability in both personal and professional dealings.

Memory Tip

Picture a person with a calculator (算) in one hand and a ledger (账) in the other, diligently adding up numbers to keep track of their finances. The sound 'suàn' can be associated with 'swan,' where the swan floats elegantly but keeps its feet busy paddling underwater, just like managing finances requires hidden effort.

Meanings of 算账

suànzhàng(suan4zhang4)
1(accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts
2(fig.) to settle an account; to get one's revenge
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About 算账

算账Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 算账

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Podcast: 算账

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AI Study Notes for 算账

Quick Contrast

计算 (jìsuàn) vs 算账 (suànzhàng): use 计算 when referring to general calculations or computations, while 算账 specifically involves financial accounts or settling debts.

Usage Notes

It's important to note the context when using 算账; it can be formal in business settings or informal among friends discussing finances. A common mistake is to confuse it with 计算 (jìsuàn), which means to calculate generally, while 算账 specifically refers to accounting or settling accounts.

HSK Study Tips

This word may not appear in the lower HSK levels, but it connects well with financial vocabulary at HSK 4 and above. Students should focus on its usage in sentences involving money and transactions to reinforce learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 算账 when they mean to talk about general calculations, leading to phrases like '我算账这个问题' (I calculate this problem) instead of '我计算这个问题' (I calculate this problem). Remember, 算账 is specifically for accounts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 算账

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Component Characters

算suànto regard as
HSK 414 strokes⺮
View full entry
账zhàngaccount
HSK 68 strokes贝
View full entry

How to say (accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts in Chinese

“(accounting) to balance the books; to do the accounts” in Chinese is算账suànzhàng

算账 (suànzhàng) means to calculate accounts or settle accounts. It is commonly used in contexts involving financial transactions, budgeting, and reconciling expenses. The term can also imply evaluating situations or responsibilities.

When to use 算账

It's important to note the context when using 算账; it can be formal in business settings or informal among friends discussing finances. A common mistake is to confuse it with 计算 (jìsuàn), which means to calculate generally, while 算账 specifically refers to accounting or settling accounts.

算账 or something close to it

计算 (jìsuàn) vs 算账 (suànzhàng): use 计算 when referring to general calculations or computations, while 算账 specifically involves financial accounts or settling debts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 算账 when they mean to talk about general calculations, leading to phrases like '我算账这个问题' (I calculate this problem) instead of '我计算这个问题' (I calculate this problem). Remember, 算账 is specifically for accounts.

Write 算账

算
账

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Frequently Asked Questions about 算账

算账 refers to settling or calculating accounts, particularly in financial contexts.

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