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March 24, 2026
计(計)jì(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.
Strokes4Radical讠Frequency#3728DifficultyVery Hard
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
jì(Ji4)
1to calculate
2to compute
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 计
计Simplified
計Traditional
4Strokes
讠Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3728Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 计
Podcast: 计
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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.
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.
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
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Simplified form of 計. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 十 represents the sound.
1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
2The sound half十 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayspeech
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 计? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 计?
Decomposition of 计
IDS Structure⿰讠十
计Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
十shi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 计?
How to say to calculate in Chinese
“to calculate” in Chinese is计jì
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.
When to use 计
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).
计 or something close to it
算 (suàn) - use 计 (jì) for formal or strategic calculations, while 算 (suàn) is more casual or everyday counting.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 计
计
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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.
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.
Yes, 计 (Jì) is a recognized surname in China, though it is less common than some other surnames. It can be found in various regions and among different Chinese communities.
计 (jì) means 'to compute', 'to count', or 'to plan.' It can also refer to a ruse or strategy. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese.
You can use 计 in sentences related to counting or planning. For example, '我需要计一下总数' (Wǒ xūyào jì yīxià zǒng shù) means 'I need to calculate the total.' It's often used in contexts involving calculations or strategies.
Some common phrases include 计算 (jìsuàn - to calculate) and 计划 (jìhuà - plan).
计 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing plans or calculations.
Remember that 计 relates to counting and planning, while 记 is about remembering or recording.
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