Meaning
合计 means to calculate or add up figures to get a total, or the total amount itself. It can also mean to discuss or deliberate something together with others, though this usage is less common in modern Mandarin. The word is frequently used in accounting, shopping, and business contexts when referring to summing up costs or quantities.
Usage
In everyday speech, 合计 is most commonly used when calculating totals, such as at a restaurant or store. The deliberation sense (discussing with others) is more colloquial and regional. In formal writing and accounting, it often appears as a noun meaning 'total' or 'sum.' Native speakers might say '合计一下' (calculate it) or '合计多少钱' (what's the total cost).
Examples
- 01这些菜合计一百二十块钱。.These dishes add up to 120 yuan in total.
- 02我们三个人合计了一下，决定明天去爬山。, .The three of us discussed it together and decided to go hiking tomorrow.
Characters
Common collocations
- 合计一下to calculate/add up
- 合计多少钱what's the total cost
- 合计起来added up together, in total
Origin
The word combines 合 (to join together) and 计 (to calculate), literally meaning 'to calculate together' or 'combined calculation,' which naturally extends to the meaning of totaling or summing up.