dǎsuàn: 打算 - To Plan, To Intend, Intention

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• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

`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 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.”

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.

• 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`.