算盘

算盤

suànpán

noun HSK 7-9 #21,364

Measure Word

一个算盘 gè

Meanings

1 abacus
2 calculating plan; scheme (figurative)

Characters

tray; board; plate

Examples

HSK 2

他心里打着自己的小算盘。

Tā xīnlǐ dǎ zhe zìjǐ de xiǎo suànpán.

He has his own little scheme in mind.

HSK 3

古代中国人用算盘来计算。

Gǔdài Zhōngguórén yòng suànpán lái jìsuàn.

Ancient Chinese used the abacus for calculations.

Tips

culture

打算盘 literally means 'to use an abacus,' but figuratively means 'to make calculations / have a hidden agenda.' 小算盘 (little abacus) implies a selfish scheme.

Stroke Order

算 suàn

盘 pán