§ Don't Confuse 合算 with 划算 (huásuàn)
This is a very common mistake. While both 合算 and 划算 can mean 'cost-effective' or 'worthwhile,' there's a subtle but important difference. Think of 合算 as being more about the overall value or benefit, often in a broader sense than just money. 划算 is almost always about a good deal financially, specifically. If something is a bargain, you use 划算. If it's a good decision because of the benefits, it's 合算.
买这个打折的手机很划算。(Mǎi zhège dǎzhé de shǒujī hěn huásuàn.)
Translation hint: Buying this discounted phone is a good deal (financially).
这份工作虽然辛苦，但是经验很合算。(Zhè fèn gōngzuò suīrán xīnkǔ, dànshì jīngyàn hěn hésuàn.)
Translation hint: Although this job is tough, the experience is worthwhile (overall benefit).
§ Using 合算 for Purely Financial Savings
As mentioned above, if you're talking strictly about saving money or getting a good price, 划算 is almost always the better choice. Using 合算 in such situations isn't strictly 'wrong' but it sounds less natural to a native speaker. It implies a broader consideration than just the price tag.
- Wrong usage:
- 这个商品打五折，很合算。(Zhège shāngpǐn dǎ wǔzhé, hěn hésuàn.)
Translation hint: This item is half price, very worthwhile (sounds a bit off, implying more than just the discount).
- Correct usage:
- 这个商品打五折，很划算。(Zhège shāngpǐn dǎ wǔzhé, hěn huásuàn.)
Translation hint: This item is half price, it's a good deal.
§ Not Using 合算 for Broader Considerations
On the flip side, sometimes learners default to 划算 when 合算 is actually more appropriate. If you're weighing pros and cons, or considering long-term benefits that aren't just monetary, 合算 is your word.
去国外留学虽然花钱多，但长远来看很合算。(Qù guówài liúxué suīrán huāqián duō, dàn chángyuǎn lái kàn hěn hésuàn.)
Translation hint: Although studying abroad costs a lot of money, it's worthwhile in the long run.
§ Overusing 合算 When Simpler Words Work
Sometimes, you might just need a simpler word or phrase. While 合算 is useful, it's not always the most natural fit for every 'worthwhile' situation. For instance, if you're just saying an effort was rewarded, other phrases might be better. Consider if you really mean 'cost-effective' or 'worthwhile' in the sense of a good return on investment (time, effort, money), or if you just mean 'good' or 'meaningful.'
- Instead of: 这次旅行很合算。(Zhè cǐ lǚxíng hěn hésuàn.) - This trip was very worthwhile. (Possible, but depends on context)
- Consider: 这次旅行很有意义。(Zhè cǐ lǚxíng hěn yǒu yìyì.) - This trip was very meaningful.
- Or: 这次旅行很棒。(Zhè cǐ lǚxíng hěn bàng.) - This trip was great.
The key is to consider the exact nuance. Is it about balancing inputs and outputs (like effort for reward, or cost for benefit)? Then 合算 is probably good. Is it just generally positive? Maybe something else fits better.
Niveau de difficulté
Two common characters, easy to recognize.
Both characters are relatively simple to write.
Straightforward pronunciation.
Common word, easy to catch in conversation.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Can be used as a predicate directly after an adverb.
这件衣服打折后很合算。(This piece of clothing is very cost-effective after the discount.)
Can be used as an attribute before a noun, often with 的.
买大包装的零食更合算。(Buying larger packages of snacks is more worthwhile.)
Can be used in a comparison structure with 比 (bǐ).
坐公交车比打的更合算。(Taking the bus is more cost-effective than taking a taxi.)
Can be used to express that something is worth doing, often in a rhetorical question or statement.
为了省钱，自己做饭最合算。(To save money, cooking for yourself is the most worthwhile.)
Can be used with 不 (bù) to express something is not worthwhile or not cost-effective.
现在买这套房子不合算。(Buying this house now is not worthwhile.)
Souvent confondu avec
'合算' perfectly captures this concept, indicating that something provides good value relative to its cost.
When you get something that is '合算,' it means you've likely gotten a good deal or a bargain.
In a business context, '合算' can sometimes imply profitability, as in a venture that is worth undertaking due to its financial benefits.
Modèles grammaticaux
Facile à confondre
Both '合算' and '划算' mean 'cost-effective' or 'worthwhile' and can often be used interchangeably in casual conversation. The distinction is subtle and largely depends on regional usage and personal preference.
'划算' is generally more common in spoken Chinese, especially in the north, and often implies a good deal or a bargain. '合算' is also widely used and has a slightly broader connotation of being beneficial or a good value overall.
这个价格买到这样的质量，真是太划算了！ (Zhège jiàgé mǎi dào zhèyàng de zhìliàng, zhēnshi tài huásuàn le!) Buying this quality at this price, it's really such a bargain!
While '值得' also translates to 'worthwhile,' it emphasizes the inherent value or merit of something, rather than primarily its cost-effectiveness. It can refer to something being worth doing, seeing, or having.
'值得' focuses on the intrinsic value or merit, whereas '合算' emphasizes the value in relation to the cost or effort involved. You might say an experience is '值得' even if it wasn't particularly cheap.
这部电影很值得一看。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn zhíde yī kàn.) This movie is really worth watching.
'实惠' means 'tangible benefit' or 'economical/affordable.' It often describes something that is good value for money, making it similar to '合算' in some contexts.
'实惠' often highlights the practical benefits or the economic advantage. While '合算' can describe a good deal, '实惠' often describes something that is genuinely affordable and offers good value.
这家餐厅的菜量大又实惠。 (Zhè jiā cāntīng de càiliàng dà yòu shíhuì.) This restaurant's dishes are big and economical.
'划得来' is a more colloquial expression that means 'worth it' or 'cost-effective,' very similar in meaning and usage to '合算' and '划算.'
It's largely a regional or stylistic variation of '划算.' It emphasizes that the effort, money, or time invested will yield a good return.
花点时间学习中文还是很划得来的。 (Huā diǎn shíjiān xuéxí Zhōngwén háishì hěn huádelái de.) Spending some time learning Chinese is still very worthwhile.
'便宜' means 'cheap' or 'inexpensive.' While a cheap item might be '合算,' the two terms are not interchangeable. Something can be cheap but not '合算' if its quality is poor.
'便宜' simply refers to a low price. '合算' implies a good value proposition, where the benefits outweigh the cost, regardless of whether the initial price was low or high.
这件衣服很便宜，但我不知道质量怎么样。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn piányi, dàn wǒ bù zhīdào zhìliàng zěnmeyàng.) This piece of clothing is very cheap, but I don't know about the quality.
Structures de phrases
做…很合算 (It's worthwhile to do...)
现在买机票很合算。 (It's worthwhile to buy plane tickets now.)
不合算 (not worthwhile/cost-effective)
打车去机场不合算，坐地铁更便宜。 (Taking a taxi to the airport is not cost-effective; taking the subway is cheaper.)
合算吗？ (Is it worthwhile/cost-effective?)
买这个手机合算吗？ (Is it worthwhile to buy this phone?)
这笔买卖很合算。 (This deal is very worthwhile.)
这笔买卖很合算，我们赚了很多钱。 (This deal is very worthwhile; we earned a lot of money.)
算下来很合算 (It turns out to be very cost-effective)
虽然一次性投入比较大，但算下来长期使用还是很合算的。 (Although the one-time investment is relatively large, in the long run, it's still very cost-effective for long-term use.)
权衡一下，哪个更合算？ (Weighing it up, which one is more worthwhile?)
是租房合算还是买房合算，需要权衡一下。 (To rent or to buy, which is more worthwhile, needs to be weighed up.)
从长远来看，…更合算。 (From a long-term perspective, ... is more worthwhile.)
从长远来看，投资教育总是更合算的。 (From a long-term perspective, investing in education is always more worthwhile.)
考虑经济效益，…最合算。 (Considering economic benefits, ... is the most cost-effective.)
为了提高生产效率，考虑经济效益，引入自动化设备最合算。 (To improve production efficiency, considering economic benefits, introducing automated equipment is the most cost-effective.)
Astuces
Basic Meaning of 合算
合算 (hésuàn) literally means 'to calculate together' or 'to count up'. When we say something is 合算, it implies that the benefits outweigh the costs, making it worthwhile.
Use for Deals and Purchases
This word is often used when discussing deals, purchases, or investments. If a discount makes a purchase a good value, you can say it's 合算.
Expressing Value in Time or Effort
合算 isn't just about money. You can also use it to describe something that is worth your time or effort. For example, if learning a new skill will bring long-term benefits, it's 合算.
Common Phrase: 很合算
A very common way to use this is with 很 (hěn), meaning 'very'. So, 很合算 means 'very worthwhile' or 'very cost-effective'.
Opposite: 不合算
The opposite is simply 不合算 (bù hésuàn), meaning 'not worthwhile' or 'not cost-effective'. If something is too expensive or takes too much effort for too little return, it's 不合算.
Comparing Options with 合算
You can use 合算 to compare different options and decide which one offers better value. For example, 'Which option is more 合算?'
Grammar: As an Adjective
Remember that 合算 functions as an adjective. It describes a noun or a situation. For instance, 'This plan is 合算' (这个计划很合算).
Think 'Good Value' or 'Worth It'
When you're trying to remember the meaning, think of it as 'good value' or 'worth it'. If something feels like a good deal or provides good returns, it's 合算.
Situations for 合算
Consider using 合算 when discussing things like travel plans, education choices, career moves, or even daily shopping decisions. Any time you weigh pros and cons, 合算 is relevant.
Example Sentence Structure
A common structure is 'Subject + (很/不) + 合算'. For example, '买这张票很合算' (Mǎi zhè zhāng piào hěn hésuàn - Buying this ticket is very worthwhile).
Teste-toi 6 questions
The correct order is to put the verb '买' (buy) first, followed by the object '这个包' (this bag), then the adverb '很' (very), and finally the adjective '合算' (worthwhile).
This sentence compares two actions. The structure 'A 比 B 更 adjective' means 'A is more adjective than B'. Here, '坐火车' (taking the train) is A, '坐飞机' (taking the plane) is B, and '更合算' (more worthwhile/cost-effective) is the comparison.
The sentence starts with the subject '我的旧电脑' (my old computer), followed by the adverb '太' (too), then the negative '不' (not), and finally the adjective '合算' (worthwhile) with the particle '了' indicating a change in situation or emphasis.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 合算
合算 (hésuàn) literally means 'to calculate together' or 'to count up'. When we say something is 合算, it implies that the benefits outweigh the costs, making it worthwhile.
Use for Deals and Purchases
This word is often used when discussing deals, purchases, or investments. If a discount makes a purchase a good value, you can say it's 合算.
Expressing Value in Time or Effort
合算 isn't just about money. You can also use it to describe something that is worth your time or effort. For example, if learning a new skill will bring long-term benefits, it's 合算.
Common Phrase: 很合算
A very common way to use this is with 很 (hěn), meaning 'very'. So, 很合算 means 'very worthwhile' or 'very cost-effective'.
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