Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== dǎsuàn: 打算 - To Plan, To Intend, Intention ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** dǎsuàn, 打算, plan in Chinese, intend in Chinese, how to say plan in Chinese, Chinese for intention, dǎsuàn vs jìhuà, what does dasuan mean, Chinese grammar plan, Chinese verb for planning. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **打算 (dǎsuàn)**, which means "to plan," "to intend," or "intention." This page breaks down how to use `dǎsuàn` in everyday conversation to talk about your future plans, from what you'll eat for dinner to your long-term career goals. Discover the difference between `打算 (dǎsuàn)` and the more formal `计划 (jìhuà)`, and understand its cultural nuance to speak more naturally. With 10+ example sentences and clear analysis, you'll master this fundamental HSK 3 vocabulary word. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dǎsuàn * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** To intend to do something; a personal plan or intention. * **In a Nutshell:** `打算` is your go-to word for expressing personal plans and intentions in Chinese. It's less about a detailed, finalized schedule and more about what you're //thinking// of doing. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of saying "I'm planning to..." or "I intend to..." It's flexible, common, and perfect for everyday chats about the future. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **打 (dǎ):** While its primary meaning is "to hit" or "to strike," `打` is one of the most versatile characters in Chinese. Here, it functions more abstractly, meaning something like "to make," "to do," or "to figure out." Think of how it's used in `打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)` - "to make a phone call." * **算 (suàn):** This character means "to calculate," "to count," or "to reckon." It involves mental processing and consideration. When you combine them, **打 (dǎ)** + **算 (suàn)** literally means "to make a calculation." This beautifully captures the idea of mentally figuring out a course of action, which is the essence of making a plan or forming an intention. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Western culture, particularly in a business context, a "plan" often implies a concrete, detailed, step-by-step strategy that is expected to be followed. It suggests a high level of commitment. **`打算 (dǎsuàn)`**, however, carries a slightly more flexible and tentative feeling. It signifies that a thought process has occurred and an intention has been formed, but it doesn't always imply a rigid, unchangeable commitment. This can reflect a cultural perspective where plans are often seen as adaptable to changing circumstances or the needs of the group. For a learner, this means you can use `打算` freely without feeling like you're making a solemn promise. It's the difference between "Here is my finalized, 10-page project plan" (which would be a `[[计划]] (jìhuà)`) and "My plan for the weekend is to probably catch a movie" (a perfect case for `打算`). It's about expressing direction, not dictating a fixed path. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `打算` is extremely common in daily life. You'll hear and use it constantly. It can function as both a verb and a noun. * **As a Verb (to plan/intend):** This is its most frequent use. It's almost always followed by another verb phrase indicating what you plan to do. * //e.g., 我 **打算** 去北京。 (Wǒ **dǎsuàn** qù Běijīng.) - I plan to go to Beijing.// * **As a Noun (a plan/intention):** When used as a noun, it often appears in questions like "What are your plans?" or statements like "I have a plan." * //e.g., 你这个周末有什么 **打算**？ (Nǐ zhège zhōumò yǒu shénme **dǎsuàn**?) - Do you have any plans this weekend?// * **Formality:** `打算` is generally neutral to informal. It's perfect for conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. In highly formal documents or presentations about official strategies, `[[计划]] (jìhuà)` is a better choice. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 你毕业以后有什么**打算**？ * Pinyin: Nǐ bìyè yǐhòu yǒu shénme **dǎsuàn**? * English: What are your plans after you graduate? * Analysis: Here, `打算` is used as a noun ("plans"). This is a very common question to ask students or anyone at a transitional point in their life. * **Example 2:** * 我**打算**下个月开始学中文。 * Pinyin: Wǒ **dǎsuàn** xià gè yuè kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén. * English: I plan to start learning Chinese next month. * Analysis: `打算` is a verb here, expressing a personal intention. It shows a decision has been made, but it's not as rigid as a formal "schedule." * **Example 3:** * 我们**打算**坐火车去，不坐飞机。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen **dǎsuàn** zuò huǒchē qù, bù zuò fēijī. * English: We plan to go by train, not by plane. * Analysis: This sentence shows a choice or preference as part of a plan. * **Example 4:** * 他不**打算**参加今天的会议。 * Pinyin: Tā bù **dǎsuàn** cānjiā jīntiān de huìyì. * English: He doesn't intend to attend today's meeting. * Analysis: The negative form `不打算` is used to clearly state a lack of intention to do something. * **Example 5:** * 这笔钱你**打算**怎么花？ * Pinyin: Zhè bǐ qián nǐ **dǎsuàn** zěnme huā? * English: How do you plan to spend this money? * Analysis: A question asking about the intention behind an action. `怎么 (zěnme)` - "how" - is often paired with `打算`. * **Example 6:** * 我本来**打算**今天做完，但是没时间了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ běnlái **dǎsuàn** jīntiān zuò wán, dànshì méi shíjiān le. * English: I had originally planned to finish it today, but I ran out of time. * Analysis: `本来打算 (běnlái dǎsuàn)` is a fantastic pattern for talking about a plan that didn't happen. It means "originally planned to...". * **Example 7:** * 晚饭你**打算**吃什么？ * Pinyin: Wǎnfàn nǐ **dǎsuàn** chī shénme? * English: What are you planning to eat for dinner? * Analysis: This shows how `打算` is used for very simple, immediate, and informal daily plans. * **Example 8:** * 我还没想好，暂时没什么**打算**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ hái méi xiǎng hǎo, zànshí méishénme **dǎsuàn**. * English: I haven't decided yet, I don't really have any plans for now. * Analysis: A common way to respond when you don't have a plan. `没什么打算` means "(I) don't have any particular plans." * **Example 9:** * 她的长期**打算**是在上海买一套房子。 * Pinyin: Tā de chángqī **dǎsuàn** shì zài Shànghǎi mǎi yī tào fángzi. * English: Her long-term plan is to buy an apartment in Shanghai. * Analysis: `打算` is used as a noun here, modified by `长期 (chángqī)` to mean "long-term plan." * **Example 10:** * 如果下雨，你有什么别的**打算**吗？ * Pinyin: Rúguǒ xià yǔ, nǐ yǒu shénme bié de **dǎsuàn** ma? * English: If it rains, do you have any other plans? * Analysis: Shows how `打算` can be used to talk about alternative or backup plans. `别的打算` means "other plans." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `打算` from other words related to planning. * **`打算 (dǎsuàn)` vs. `计划 (jìhuà)`** * **`打算`:** Personal intention, thought, informal plan. (e.g., I //plan// to watch a movie.) * **`计划`:** Formal plan, program, detailed strategy, often written. (e.g., The company's five-year //plan//.) * **Mistake:** Saying "我的**计划**是去看电影" (Wǒ de **jìhuà** shì qù kàn diànyǐng). This sounds overly formal and weird, like you've created a PowerPoint presentation for your movie night. The correct, natural choice is "我**打算**去看电影". * **`打算 (dǎsuàn)` vs. `安排 (ānpái)`** * **`打算`:** The "what." It's the intention to do something. (e.g., 我**打算**去旅游 - I plan to travel.) * **`安排 (ānpái)`:** The "how" and "when." It means "to arrange" or "to schedule" the logistics. (e.g., 你能**安排**一下酒店和机票吗? - Can you arrange the hotel and plane tickets?) * **Relationship:** You first have a `打算`, and then you `安排` the details to make it happen. * **`打算 (dǎsuàn)` vs. `想 (xiǎng)`** * **`想 (xiǎng)`:** To want, to think of. This is a desire or a fleeting thought. It's weaker than `打算`. * **`打算`:** To intend, to plan. This implies you've given it more thought and are more likely to act on it. * **Comparison:** "我想去中国" (Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó) means "I want to go to China / I'm thinking of going to China." "我打算去中国" (Wǒ dǎsuàn qù Zhōngguó) means "I //plan// to go to China," which signals a stronger, more developed intention. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[计划]] (jìhuà) - A formal, detailed plan or program. More concrete than `打算`. * [[安排]] (ānpái) - To arrange, to schedule. Focuses on the logistics and implementation of a plan. * [[决定]] (juédìng) - To decide; a decision. A `打算` often leads to a `决定`. It's more final. * [[准备]] (zhǔnbèi) - To prepare, to get ready. The actions you take to execute a `打算` or `计划`. * [[想]] (xiǎng) - To think, to want. Represents a desire or idea that may or may not be a plan yet. * [[目标]] (mùbiāo) - Goal, target, objective. The ultimate aim of your `打算` or `计划`. * [[意图]] (yìtú) - Intention, purpose. A more formal and abstract synonym for the "intention" aspect of `打算`.