Learn 算 through everyday calculations, estimates and budgets. Remember its reading in complete words.

The idea

算 has 14 strokes and is read さん in the words 計算（けいさん）, 算数（さんすう）, 暗算（あんざん） and 予算（よさん）. 計算する means to calculate; 算数 is school arithmetic. Follow the linked stroke diagram.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample
計算けいさんI calculated the total price.
算数さんすうMy younger sister likes arithmetic.
暗算あんざんI calculated the change in my head.
予算よさんWe need to decide next year’s budget.
概算がいさんI estimated the travel expenses.

Examples

  • 合計ごうけいの値段ねだんを計算けいさんしました。I calculated the total price.
  • 妹いもうとは算数さんすうが好すきです。My younger sister likes arithmetic.
  • お釣つりを暗算あんざんで計算けいさんしました。I calculated the change in my head.
  • 来年らいねんの予算よさんを決きめる必要ひつようがあります。We need to decide next year’s budget.
  • 旅行りょこうの費用ひようを概算がいさんしました。I estimated the travel expenses.
  • もう一度いちど、計算けいさんを確認かくにんしてください。Please check the calculation again.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

暗算 is mental arithmetic, while 計算 can use paper or a calculator. 予算 is a budget, not the result of a calculation.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 計算 in hiragana.

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    けいさん

    計算 is けいさん; 計算する means to calculate.

  2. Write the reading of 予算 in hiragana.

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    よさん

    予算 is よさん, a budget or planned allocation of money.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 暗＿（あんざん）［算／筆］.

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    算

    算 completes 暗算（あんざん）, calculating in one’s head.

Use it today

Write 算 following the diagram, then cover the readings and say 計算 and 予算 aloud. Make a sentence about a budget.