Definition
定 (dìng) means 'to set, fix, or determine' a specific thing like a time, rule, or price, or 'to order' goods/services. It is more concrete and action-oriented than 决定 (juédìng 'to decide'), which focuses on making a choice, and 确定 (quèdìng 'to confirm'), which emphasizes making something certain after doubt. 定 is also a common building block in many compound verbs.
verb
to setto determineto fix (a time, plan, rule, etc.)to order (goods or services)
Easily confused
- 字zìlook-alikecharacter (Chinese character)
- 盯dīngsound-aliketo stare at, to fix one's attention on, to gaze at
- 宗zōnglook-alike(classifier) for cases, batches, transactions, medical cases, etc.
- 顶dǐngsound-alike(noun) top, apex, crown of the head
- 安ānlook-alike(adjective) calm, peaceful, safe, secure
- 订dìngsound-aliketo order (goods, tickets, food, etc.), to book
- 钉dìngsound-aliketo nail, to pin, to staple (fasten by driving a pointed object)
- 丁dīngsound-alikefourth in a series (grade D, fourth Heavenly Stem, etc.)
Examples
- 定。Wǒmen děi xiān dìng yí gè rìqī.We need to set a date first.
- 定。Wǒ dìng le yì bēi kāfēi.I ordered a cup of coffee.
- 。Jiéguǒ hái méi dìng xiàlái.The result hasn't been settled yet.
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