Real-Life Chinese Phrase
算了
forget it; never mind; let it go
When to use it
Use 算了 when you decide not to continue, not to argue, or not to insist on something.
Tone and culture
It can be calm, disappointed, annoyed, or forgiving. The words are simple, but the feeling depends heavily on voice and context.
Real examples
- 算了，不买了。 Suàn le, bù mǎi le. Forget it. I won’t buy it.
- 太麻烦了，算了吧。 Tài máfan le, suàn le ba. It’s too much trouble. Never mind.
- 这件事就算了。 Zhè jiàn shì jiù suàn le. Let’s just let this matter go.
- 你不想说就算了。 Nǐ bù xiǎng shuō jiù suàn le. If you don’t want to say it, never mind.
Pronunciation
Use the ChineseGoGo Context Dictionary audio button to hear this phrase and compare it with the examples.
Mini dialogue
朋友A这家店排队要四十分钟。The line here is forty minutes.
朋友B算了，我们换一家吧。Never mind. Let’s go somewhere else.
朋友A好，前面那家也可以。Okay, the one ahead works too.
Common mistakes and close phrases
| 算了 | drop it or never mind; can carry emotion |
|---|---|
| 没关系 | it is okay; often used to reassure someone |
| 不要了 | I don’t want it anymore; more concrete than 算了 |
Learn it in context
Start from the phrase, then study the scene, save useful expressions, and review them later.