打算

• Reading: ださん
• Romaji: dasan
• Kanji breakdown: 打 (da) — to strike, compute | 算 (san) — to count, calculate
• Pronunciation: /da.san/

Meaning

Calculation; self-interest; mercenary thinking. Acting with an eye to personal gain rather than genuine motivation.

A noun carrying a distinctly negative connotation — it implies that a person's apparent kindness, generosity, or cooperation is actually driven by self-interest. The derived adjective 打算的 (calculative, mercenary) is very common. Contrasted with 無私 (selflessness) or 純粋さ (purity of motive).

Examples

1. 打算なく相手を助ける行為こそが、真の友情の証だと彼は信じていた。 He believed that helping others without any self-interest is the true proof of friendship.
2. 彼女の親切は打算的なもので、見返りを期待していることは誰の目にも明らかだった。 Her kindness was calculating, and it was obvious to everyone that she expected something in return.
3. 純粋な動機で行動する人と打算で動く人を見分けるのは、意外と難しい。 It's surprisingly difficult to tell apart those who act from pure motives and those who act out of self-interest.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal relations, ethics, literature, social commentary

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (da) meaning 'to strike, compute' — here with the sense of calculating — and 算 (san) meaning 'to count, calculate'. The image is of coldly computing one's advantage before acting.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal