Giving Up or Ending with 算了 in Chinese
算了
算了 is a fixed spoken expression used to give up, stop pressing a matter, accept reality, or propose ending an action. It can stand alone before a following clause or occur after the matter being abandoned. Context and intonation determine whether it sounds resigned, conciliatory, impatient, or simply practical.
Published August 1, 2026
Reviewed August 1, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
算了，Clause / Topic + 就这样 + 算了吧
Read the structure
算了 is a fixed spoken expression used to give up, stop pressing a matter, accept reality, or propose ending an action. It can stand alone before a following clause or occur after the matter being abandoned. Context and intonation determine whether it sounds resigned, conciliatory, impatient, or simply practical. Keep the model 算了，Clause / Topic + 就这样 + 算了吧 visible while you compare each sentence.
这件事就这样算了吧。
Let us leave this matter as it is.
Choose the right context
Stop pursuing a matter after reconsideration. Tell someone not to force an issue. Accept an unsatisfactory reality and move on.
他不去算了，不要为难他了。
If he is not going, let it go; do not pressure him.
Respect the boundary
Do not reverse the two characters of the fixed expression. Do not insert unrelated sentence material inside 算了. Do not confuse fixed 算了 with the literal verb 算 meaning calculate.
这件事就这样了算吧。
(Let this matter le calculate.)
Repair the pattern
The fixed expression is reversed: The spoken formula keeps 算 before 了 and normally remains intact. Clause material splits the fixed expression: The topic can precede 算了, but it cannot be inserted between 算 and 了.
这件事就这样算了吧。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这件事就这样算了吧。
Let us leave this matter as it is.
这
算了，Clause / Topic
This part occupies the 算了，Clause / Topic position in the model pattern.
件
就这样
This part occupies the 就这样 position in the model pattern.
事
算了吧
This part occupies the 算了吧 position in the model pattern.
就
算了，Clause / Topic
This part occupies the 算了，Clause / Topic position in the model pattern.
这样
就这样
This part occupies the 就这样 position in the model pattern.
算了
算了吧
This part occupies the 算了吧 position in the model pattern.
吧
算了，Clause / Topic
This part occupies the 算了，Clause / Topic position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这件事就这样算了吧。
Let us leave this matter as it is.
他不去算了，不要为难他了。
If he is not going, let it go; do not pressure him.
算了，你说不过他的。
Forget it; you cannot outargue him.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Stop pursuing a matter after reconsideration.
- Tell someone not to force an issue.
- Accept an unsatisfactory reality and move on.
Do not use it when
- Do not reverse the two characters of the fixed expression.
- Do not insert unrelated sentence material inside 算了.
- Do not confuse fixed 算了 with the literal verb 算 meaning calculate.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
这件事就这样了算吧。
这件事就这样算了吧。
The fixed expression is reversed
The spoken formula keeps 算 before 了 and normally remains intact.
算这件事了，不要再说了。
这件事算了，不要再说了。
Clause material splits the fixed expression
The topic can precede 算了, but it cannot be inserted between 算 and 了.
这件事就这样了算吧。
The spoken formula keeps 算 before 了 and normally remains intact.
算这件事了，不要再说了。
The topic can precede 算了, but it cannot be inserted between 算 and 了.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 算了.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 算了. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Giving Up or Ending with 算了 Questions
Is 算了 always negative?
No. It often conveys resignation or abandonment, but it can also be a practical suggestion to stop an unhelpful discussion.
Can 算了 stand alone?
Yes. It commonly forms a complete spoken response and can introduce a following explanation or decision.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 6 item 【六34】, PDF pp. 237–238
Lists 算了 at Level 6 with abandonment, non-coercion, and conversational response examples.
Official source现代汉语构式数据库
北京大学中国语言学研究中心 · Peking University · 2021
Locator: Construction record 2523, 算了
Defines the fixed spoken form as giving up, accepting reality, or ending, and documents predicate and standalone uses.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
干脆干脆 for Choosing the Simpler Course
Compare giving up a matter with decisively choosing a simpler action through 干脆.
Easy to confuse
罢了罢了: Merely and Nothing More
Standalone 算了 abandons a matter, while sentence-final 罢了 merely limits a claim.
Compare
只好只好 for the Only Acceptable Option
只好 selects the remaining action, whereas 算了 can close the issue without acting.
Compare
别提了Dismissive Formula 别提了
Both can end a conversational thread, but 别提了 foregrounds an emotional reaction.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Compare giving up a matter with decisively choosing a simpler action through 干脆.