估算
gū suàn · HSK 7
assessment
📊 估 = estimate + 算 = calculate; together: assessment
估 (gū) means to estimate or appraise; 算 (suàn) means to calculate or reckon. The compound 估算 fuses both senses into 'assessment' or 'evaluation' — working out a value by reasoned calculation rather than exact measurement.
算 — bamboo 竹 + abacus 具 (eye 目 + two hands 廾)
Originally depicted counting with bamboo rods on an abacus-like device. The top 竹 (bamboo) refers to the bamboo counting sticks used in ancient Chinese arithmetic, while the bottom shows hands manipulating them. The meaning broadened from 'to count' to 'to calculate' or 'to plan'.