HSK 6
算了
suàn le
算了 - Forget it, let it go
Explanation
算了 (suàn le) is a colloquial expression meaning "forget it, let it go", used when deciding not to do something anymore or accepting to let go of something that didn't turn out as wished.
算了 standing alone, or 算了 + 吧 (ba) for a softer tone, or "(something) + 就 + 算了" = consider it dropped. There is also the pattern "A + 算了" meaning "if A, then never mind": 他不去算了 = if he doesn't go, then never mind.
when you yourself give up an intention (算了，不做了), when advising someone else not to keep trying (算了，你说不过他的), or when accepting to let something pass. It is spoken language, usually carrying a tone of giving up, conceding, or consoling.
do not confuse 算了 (suàn le, forget it) with 算了吗 or the verb 算 (suàn, to calculate) in its literal sense; here 算了 is a fixed phrase. Also do not use 算了 in formal writing because it is very colloquial.
Examples
Let's just leave this matter as it is and forget about it.
If he doesn't want to go, then never mind; don't make things hard for him.
A: No way, I have to question him thoroughly. / A: No way, I really need to ask him and get to the bottom of it.
B: Forget it, you won't be able to out-argue him. / B: Just drop it, you can't out-argue him anyway.
Practice
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Learn “算了” effectively
The grammar point “算了” (算了 - Forget it, let it go) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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