precise reckoning; shrewd calculator
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
metaphor for precise calculation; careful reckoning
Used to describe meticulous financial planning, accounting, or any situation where calculations are extremely precise.
Tā他
zuò做
mǎi买
mai卖
jiù就
xiàng像
tiě铁
suàn算
pán盘
，
yī一
fēn分
yī一
lí厘
dōu都
suàn算
de得
qīng清
qīng清
chǔ楚
chǔ楚
。
He does business like an iron abacus, calculating every cent with perfect clarity.
Zhè这
gè个
yù预
suàn算
zuò做
de得
zhēn真
xì细
，
jiǎn简
zhí直
shì是
gè个
tiě铁
suàn算
pán盘
。
This budget is made so meticulously; it's practically an iron abacus.
noun
metaphor for a shrewd or calculating person; a sharp accountant
Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context, implying someone is extremely careful with money or calculations. Often used for accountants, managers, or anyone who never lets financial details slip.
Tā他
shì是
gè个
tiě铁
suàn算
pán盘
，
shéi谁
yě也
bié别
xiǎng想
zhàn占
tā他
de的
pián便
yi宜
。
He is an iron abacus; nobody can take advantage of him.
Lǎo老
Wáng王
shì是
cūn村
lǐ里
yǒu有
míng名
de的
tiě铁
suàn算
pán盘
，
zhàng账
mù目
cóng从
lái来
bù不
chū出
cuò错
。
Old Wang is a famous iron abacus in the village; his accounts are never wrong.
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Zhè这
wèi位
tiě铁
suàn算
pán盘
jīng经
lǐ理
bǎ把
gōng公
sī司
de的
cái财
wù务
guǎn管
de得
jǐng井
jǐng井
yǒu有
tiáo条
。
This iron-abacus manager keeps the company's finances in perfect order.