How to use 算
Subject + (不 +) 算 + Noun / Description (+ 的)
算 makes an assessment about whether something qualifies as a category or reaches a certain standard. A noun after 算 names the category; an adjective evaluates the degree or quality. The judgment often depends on a comparison or the speaker’s expectations, so it can feel more measured than an unqualified statement using 是.
Questions can ask whether something counts, and 不算 denies that it does. With adjectives, affirmative descriptions may use a final 的, while negative forms often omit it. 算是 can make the classification sound provisional or somewhat reluctant, although context matters. Familiar idiomatic expressions using 算 may carry attitudes that are stronger than this basic qualifying meaning.
Examples with pinyin and English
她算天才。
She is considered a genius.
这算秘密吗？
Is this considered a secret?
她算不算你女朋友？
Can she be considered your girlfriend or not?
美国的中国菜算中国菜吗？
Can American Chinese food be considered Chinese food?
What to remember
- A noun names what something counts as.
- 不算 rejects the classification or standard.
- 算是 often makes a judgment more qualified.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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