Understanding "计划" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 计划
• Pinyin: jì huà
• Literal Meaning: "计" means "to calculate" or "to plan," and "划" means "to draw" or "to divide." Together, they imply "a calculated plan."
• Primary Meaning: "Plan," "scheme," or "project." It refers to a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "计划" is a versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to short-term plans (e.g., daily schedules) or long-term projects (e.g., business strategies).
• It is commonly used in phrases like "制定计划" (zhì dìng jì huà, "to make a plan") or "执行计划" (zhí xíng jì huà, "to execute a plan").

• Unlike the English word "plan," which can also mean "intend" (e.g., "I plan to go"), "计划" is more concrete and often involves written or structured arrangements.

• Character Breakdown:

• 计 (jì): Originally meant "to calculate" or "to count," but it also implies strategizing.
• 划 (huà): Means "to draw" (e.g., lines) or "to divide," suggesting the division of steps in a plan.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我有一个学习中文的计划。
   Pinyin: Wǒ yǒu yī gè xué xí Zhōngwén de jì huà.
   English: I have a plan to study Chinese.

2. Chinese: 公司正在制定明年的发展计划。
   Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài zhì dìng míng nián de fā zhǎn jì huà.
   English: The company is making a development plan for next year.

3. Chinese: 我们的旅行计划改变了。
   Pinyin: Wǒmen de lǚxíng jì huà gǎi biàn le.
   English: Our travel plan has changed.

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese culture, planning is highly valued, especially in business and education. The concept of "计划" reflects the importance of preparation and foresight.
• The Five-Year Plans (五年计划, wǔ nián jì huà) of China are a famous example of large-scale national planning, showing how deeply ingrained the idea of structured planning is in society.

Conclusion

"计划" (jì huà) is a fundamental word in Chinese, representing the idea of a structured plan or project. Whether for personal goals or large-scale strategies, understanding this word will help you navigate conversations about organization and future actions in Chinese. Remember: "计" is about calculation, and "划" is about division—together, they form a "plan."