Chinese word

算账

Pronunciation

Pinyinsuàn zhàng

Meaning

  • verbpay the bill

Example

吃完饭我们一起算账吧。chī wán fàn wǒ men yì qǐ suàn zhàng ba

Let's pay the bill together after we finish eating.

Illustration for 算账 (pay the bill)

More examples

很多小事不值得去算账，学会放下更重要。hěn duō xiǎo shì bù zhí dé qù suàn zhàng xué huì fàng xià gèng zhòng yào

Many small matters are not worth settling accounts over; learning to let go is more important.

Core concept

A reckoning that brings what is owed, lost, or disputed into the open and closes the matter.

Common phrases

  • 与对方算账yǔ duì fāng suàn zhàng

    settle accounts with the other person

  • 上门算账shàng mén suàn zhàng

    go to the other person's home to settle accounts

Similar words

结账jié zhàng: Finish paying a bill and complete the payment process.
结算jié suàn: Add up multiple amounts and determine the final sum.
报仇bào chóu: Seek revenge for harm or unfair treatment.

Definition in Chinese

把欠款、损失或争端的来龙去脉算清并了结；既可指金钱上的结算，也可指解决纠纷。bǎ qiàn kuǎn sǔn shī huò zhēng duān de lái lóng qù mài suàn qīng bìng liǎo jié jì kě zhǐ jīn qián shàng de jié suàn yě kě zhǐ jiě jué jiū fēn

Word origin

算 (suàn, "calculate") + 账 (zhàng, "account") originally refers to working out an account, then extends to settling losses and disputes.

Usage tips

  • English often separates a neutral restaurant payment from a serious reckoning after a dispute, while Chinese uses one verb for both, so context determines whether it sounds routine or weighty.

Other meanings

  • settle scoresverb
  • settle accountsverb

Opposites

  • 息事宁人xī shì níng rénsettle disputes peacefullyverb
  • 和解hé jiěreconcileverb

Word lists with this word