meticulous planning and careful accounting (idiom)
HSK 7, i, rank #35629, Very Hard
jīngdǎxìsuàn(jing1da3xi4suan4) T1
1meticulous planning and careful accounting (idiom)
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March 24, 2026
精打细算(精打細算)jīngdǎxìsuàn(jing1da3xi4suan4)
精打细算 (jing1 da3 xi4 suan4) is an idiom that means to meticulously plan and carefully account for resources, particularly money. It is commonly used in contexts involving budgeting or managing expenses, reflecting a diligent and careful approach to financial matters.
Frequency#35629DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being frugal and resourceful is highly valued, especially in the context of family and communal living. This idiom encapsulates the traditional virtue of being prudent with finances.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef (精) who is very precise (打) with each ingredient, weighing them (细) out carefully (算) to ensure a perfect dish. This carefulness in cooking parallels the meticulous nature of budgeting, making the idiom memorable.
Meanings of 精打细算
jīngdǎxìsuàn(jing1da3xi4suan4)
1meticulous planning and careful accounting (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 精打细算
精打细算Simplified
精打細算Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#35629Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 精打细算
Podcast: 精打细算
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AI Study Notes for 精打细算
Quick Contrast
精打细算 (jīngdǎxìsuàn) vs 精明 (jīngmíng) — choose 精打细算 when emphasizing careful budgeting, while 精明 focuses on shrewdness or cleverness in decision-making.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chef (精) who is very precise (打) with each ingredient, weighing them (细) out carefully (算) to ensure a perfect dish. This carefulness in cooking parallels the meticulous nature of budgeting, making the idiom memorable.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the contexts in which you use this idiom, as it is more formal and may not fit casual conversation. A common mistake is to use it in a context that implies recklessness or spontaneity, which contradicts its meaning. Typical collocations include '精打细算的生活' (a life of careful planning).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 idiom, '精打细算' connects with other advanced vocabulary related to finance and management. Focus on using it in discussions about budgeting and economic strategies, as this will help reinforce your understanding of its context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being frugal and resourceful is highly valued, especially in the context of family and communal living. This idiom encapsulates the traditional virtue of being prudent with finances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '精打细算' with '随意花钱' (sui2 yi4 hua1 qian2), which means to spend money freely. Remember that '精打细算' emphasizes careful and deliberate financial planning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 精打细算
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Grammar Patterns of 精打细算
精打细算 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
她不得不在相当紧张的预算范围内____。
She has to work within the limits of a fairly tight budget.
Example Sentences for 精打细算 (2)
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1
她不得不在相当紧张的预算范围内精打细算。
tā bù dé bù zài xiāng dāng jǐn zhāng de yù suàn fàn wéi nèi jīng dǎ xì suàn。
She has to work within the limits of a fairly tight budget.
Usually, I am sensible with money, as I have to be, given that I don't earn that much.
Cultural Notes for 精打细算
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being frugal and resourceful is highly valued, especially in the context of family and communal living. This idiom encapsulates the traditional virtue of being prudent with finances.
Frequently Asked Questions about 精打细算
While '精打细算' primarily refers to financial matters, the concept of meticulous planning can extend to time management in a broader sense.
It's more commonly found in written form or formal discussions about finance rather than in casual speech.
A similar expression would be '精心安排' (jing1 xin1 an1 pai2), which means to arrange meticulously.
