How to use “划算” in Chinese

To talk about bargains and good deals in Chinese, you can use the word 划算 (huásuàn). It can be a verb, and an adjective as well. This word has various meanings including "to calculate", "to weigh up", "worthwhile", "economical", etc..

中文里谈论砍价和好交易的时候，可以使用"划算 (huásuàn)"这个词。它可以是动词，也可以是形容词。这个词有各种意思，包括"计算"、"估量"、"值得的"、"合算的" 等等。

We're interested in the ones about things being good value or economical here.

这里，我们主要围绕其作为形容词的含义——"物有所值的或合算的"。

The most important thing to remember about 划算 is that it not a noun. The English word "bargain" is a noun, so English speakers sometimes misuse 划算 as a noun too.

需要记住的最重要的一点是，"划算"不是名词。英文里"bargain"是名词，因此英语母语者有时会把"划算"错用成名词。

Let's have a look at a few different uses for 划算.

一起看下"划算"的几个不同用法。

Bargains with 划算

You can talk about things being bargains with 划算, but remember that it's an adjective, but not a noun like "bargain". You could think of 划算 as being something like "bargain-y" or "bargain-ish" to help you remember how to use it in a sentence.

你可以用"划算"说某物合算。不过在这里，它是形容词，而不是像"bargain"一样的名词。你可以将"划算"想作类似"bargain-y"或"bargain-ish"这样的意思，以便你记忆它在句子里的用法。

这个很划算。

Zhège hěn huásuàn.

This is a bargain.

他觉得非常的划算。

Tā juéde fēichángde huásuàn.

He thought it was a real bargain.

你做了一个很划算的交易。

Nǐ zuòle yīgè hěn huásuàn de jiāoyì.

You've got a real bargain with that exchange.

Notice that 划算 means "bargain" specifically in the sense of something being a good deal.

注意这里的"划算"的意思是"bargain"，从意义上具体指好交易。

Getting your money's worth with 划算

You can also use 划算 to mean "be worthwhile" or "pay well". Really this is the same meaning as above.

你可以使用"划算"表达"合算"或"钱花得值"的意思。事实上这个和上面所说的是同样的意思。

在这家超市买东西划算。

Zài zhè jiā chāoshì mǎi dōngxi huásuàn.

You get your money's worth in this supermarket.

做这件事划算。

Zuò zhè jiàn shì huásuàn.

It's very worthwhile to do this.

如果折扣很划算，我们会买的。

Rúguǒ zhékòu hěn huásuàn, wǒmen huì mǎi de.

If the discount makes it worthwhile, we'll take it.

Sometimes this usage of 划算 can be a little bit tricky to translate into English. Just remember that it means "get your money's worth".

有时"划算"的这个用法在翻译成英文的时候比较棘手。你就只要记住它的意思是"花钱很值"。

Being economical with 划算

Finally, another related use of 划算: "to be economical". This is about making better decisions regarding spending or trading. Some examples:

最后，另一个"划算"相关的用法是"经济实惠"。这指的是根据开销或交易的情况做出更好的决策。一些例子：

买一个大包比买两个小包划算。

Mǎi yīgè dà bāo bǐ mǎi liǎng gè xiǎobāo huásuàn.

It's more economical to buy one big bag than two small bags.

烧煤气比烧煤划算。

Shāo méiqì bǐ shāo méi huásuàn.

Gas is more economical to use than coal.

买往返票划算。

Mǎi láihuí piào huásuàn.

It's economical to buy a return ticket.

Notice how all of the uses of 划算 described here all have the same basic meaning: getting a good deal or using your money in the best way. Also notice how all of these uses fit into the sentences as adjectives.

注意这里所有"划算"的用法都有着一样的基本含义：达成好交易或者以最有益的方式消费的意思，同时留意这里所举的例子都使用到"划算"的形容词用法。