calculation
gb/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 6400
számítás
NOUN
B1
1
számítás
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] does a calculation of [amount]
The engineer did a quick calculation to see if the bridge design was safe.
A mérnök gyors számítást végzett, hogy ellenőrizze, biztonságos-e a híd terve.
These tax calculations must follow the new government rules exactly.
Ezeknek az adószámításoknak pontosan követniük kell az új kormányzati szabályokat.
The whole calculation can be done on a simple calculator.
Modern computers can perform billions of calculations every second.
Learner examples
He did a quick calculation in his head.
Fejben végzett egy gyors számítást.
Please do a calculation of our total costs.
Kérlek, számítsd ki a teljes költségünket.
The teacher showed us each step of the calculation.
This app can do the calculation for you.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make the maths"* or *"do the math calculation"* instead of simply *"do a calculation"* or *"do the math"*. Another issue is confusing *calculation* with *counting*: *calculation* usually involves operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, or using formulas, not just saying numbers in order.
Meaning
process of working with numbers
Collocations
do a calculation
|make a calculation
|perform a calculation
|complex calculation
|quick calculation
|back-of-the-envelope calculation
Synonyms
computation (More technical; often used in mathematics, computing, or science.)
|
working out (More informal; especially used in British English for the steps of a math problem.)
Antonyms
guess (Suggests giving an answer without using a careful numeric process.)
Themes
math
|science
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The action of using numbers to find an answer.
The act or process of using numbers, formulas, or logical steps to find an amount, value, or answer.
B1
2
számítás
B1
Usage pattern:
according to [someone]'s calculations, [clause]
According to my calculations, we will need at least $5,000.
Számításaim szerint legalább 5000 dollárra lesz szükségünk.
Your calculations are wrong; we actually lost money last year.
Hibásak a számításaid; valójában tavaly veszteségesek voltunk.
The accountant double-checked his calculations before sending the report.
Her rough calculations showed that the project would take six months.
Learner examples
According to my calculations, the train will arrive at 6 p.m.
Számításaim szerint a vonat este 6-kor érkezik.
His calculations were not correct.
A számításai nem voltak helyesek.
Please check your calculations before you hand in the test.
My calculations show that we do not have enough money.
Common mistake:
Some learners use *calculation* only for the process and forget it can also mean the final answer. For example, *"According to my result"* is unnatural; it is better to say *"According to my calculations"* when introducing a number or conclusion you reached by calculating.
Meaning
number you get after calculating
Collocations
according to my calculations
|check your calculations
|your calculations are wrong
|error in the calculations
|based on these calculations
Synonyms
result (General word for an outcome; *calculation* stresses that it was found by calculating.)
|
figure (Often used for a single number, especially in financial or statistical contexts.)
Antonyms
miscalculation (Refers to a calculation that produces a wrong result, the opposite of a correct calculation.)
Themes
math
|business
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The number or answer you get after you calculate something.
A numerical answer or figure produced by doing a calculation.
NOUN
C1
3
számítás
B2
Usage pattern:
[an action] is a matter of [pure] calculation
His apology seemed less like regret and more like cold calculation.
A bocsánatkérése kevésbé tűnt megbánásnak, inkább hideg számításnak.
The timing of the announcement was pure political calculation.
A bejelentés időzítése tiszta politikai számítás volt.
There was a clear calculation in the way she chose her words during the interview.
Voters are tired of leaders whose every move is driven by calculation.
Learner examples
The move to a new office was not random; it was careful calculation.
Az új irodába költözés nem véletlen volt, hanem tudatos számítás.
Some people say the marriage was more about calculation than love.
Egyesek szerint a házasság inkább számításról szólt, mint szerelemről.
There is a lot of political calculation before an election.
His friendly style hides a lot of cold calculation.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is always neutral, like simple math. In phrases such as *"cold calculation"* or *"political calculation"*, the word often suggests negative ideas like selfishness, manipulation, or a lack of emotion.
Meaning
careful planning for advantage
Collocations
political calculation
|cold calculation
|ruthless calculation
|pure calculation
|careful calculation
|strategic calculation
Synonyms
planning (More neutral and positive; does not always suggest cold or selfish motives.)
|
scheming (Stronger negative sense; suggests secret, dishonest, or manipulative planning.)
Antonyms
impulsiveness (Acting quickly without careful thought or planning, the opposite of calculation.)
Themes
politics
|business
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Careful, planned thinking to get what you want, often in a cold or selfish way.
Careful and often strategic thinking used to decide what to do, especially in order to gain an advantage, sometimes suggesting cold or selfish motives.
Grammar
Dictionary form
calculation
IPA
GB/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
cal - cu - la - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (la)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: calculation
- Plural: calculation, calculations
Word family
Forms
calculations
noun
Core family
calculate
verb B1
calculator
noun A2
Related words
recalculate
verb
recalculation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
miscalculate
verb
miscalculation
noun
Advanced or less common
calculable
adjective
incalculable
adjective
Expressions
according to my calculations
1/əkˈɔɹdɪŋ tə mˈaɪ kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
more formal ‘by my calculations’
A slightly more formal way to say that the number or result you give comes from your own calculations.
Examples
- According to my calculations, the company will break even next year.
- According to my calculations, the journey should take about four hours in total.
back-of-the-envelope calculation
1/bˈæk əv ðə ˈɛnvəlˌoʊp kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
quick rough numerical estimate
A fast and simple calculation that gives only a rough idea of the answer, not an exact number.
Examples
- A back-of-the-envelope calculation showed that the project would cost around a million dollars.
- Even a back-of-the-envelope calculation tells you that the plan is too expensive.
by my calculations
1/bˈaɪ mˈaɪ kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
according to the math I did
Used before you say a number or result that you found by calculating it yourself.
Examples
- By my calculations, we should arrive just before midnight.
- By my calculations, you’ll need at least three more credits to graduate.
- By my calculations, this plan will save us about 20 percent.