The difference between 算 (suàn), 算上 (suànshang) and 算了 (suànle) in Chinese grammar
The Chinese words 算 (suàn), 算上 (suànshang) and 算了 (suànle) can be quite easy to mix up because of their similarity. Getting similar things confused in this way is called interference. The way to deal with this is to learn the differences as clearly as possible.
算 (suàn): to sum
Starting with the simplest of these words, let's have a look at 算. When used as a verb, 算 means “to sum” or “to calculate”.
Let's have a look at some example sentences for this meaning of 算:
我用计算器算出我的开支总额。
我要算算我今天一共花了多少钱。
我算了算，这次旅行要花大概一万块人民币。
Another meaning of 算 as a verb is “to consider”, “to regard as” or “to count as”. Some examples:
他算得上一个作家。
在花园走一走算不上锻炼！
那算得上道歉吗？
这算不了什么。
You could think of the basic, core meaning of 算 as “to calculate to be”. This ties together all of the different uses of 算.
算上 (suànshang): to count in
The next word we'll look at is 算上. This means “to count in” or “to include”. Again, you could think of this as “to include in your calculations”. Some example sentences for 算上:
把我算上吧！
连他们算上，我们一共也只有五个人。
算上附近的村子，这个镇子的人口一共有六千多。
One important thing to note about 算上 is that it is not the same as constructions like 算得上 (suàndeshang) and 算不上 (suànbushang). Those are potential complements used with the verb 算 described above. They mean “can be considered” and “can't be considered”, respectively.
算了 (suànle): forget it
This is a much more colloquial, idiomatic use of 算. 算了 means “forget it” or “let's drop the matter”. It's a bit like saying “consider this dealt with and leave it”. Note that it can be slightly abrupt or rude in some situations.
Some example sentences for 算了:
我们就算了吧，你说呢？
算了！我受够了。
要是天气不好就算了吧。
既然没有牛奶，咱们就喝黑咖啡算了。
算了 has a sense of giving up or dropping one's original intentions. It's often used as a response to circumstances or people that can't be dealt with or that the speaker is no longer willing to deal with.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please share them in the comments!
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