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镇定 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镇定zhèndìngcalmHSK 7, v, rank #5294, Hard
镇定zhèndìngunperturbedHSK 7, v, rank #5294, Hard
镇定zhèndìngcoolHSK 7, v, rank #5294, Hard
zhèndìng(zhen4ding4) T4
  1. 1calm
  2. 2unperturbed
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March 24, 2026
镇定(鎮定)zhèndìng(zhen4ding4)

镇定 (zhèndìng) means to remain calm and unperturbed, especially in stressful or challenging situations. It is often used to describe a person's demeanor when facing adversity or pressure, emphasizing their composure and control over emotions.

Frequency#5294DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, maintaining a calm demeanor is highly valued, particularly in stressful situations, reflecting a person's maturity and wisdom. This concept is often illustrated in traditional stories where protagonists remain 镇定 to overcome challenges.

Memory Tip

Imagine a serene town (镇) where everything is peaceful and unshaken (定). Picture someone standing in the center, completely calm despite the chaos around them. The character 镇 suggests a place (town), while 定 signifies stability, helping you remember its meaning of being calm and composed.

Meanings of 镇定

zhèndìng(zhen4ding4)
1calm
2unperturbed
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 镇定

镇定Simplified
鎮定Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5294Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 镇定

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Podcast: 镇定

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AI Study Notes for 镇定

Quick Contrast

冷静 (lěngjìng) - use 镇定 when emphasizing composure in the face of pressure, while 冷静 focuses more on a calm demeanor without emotional disturbance.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a serene town (镇) where everything is peaceful and unshaken (定). Picture someone standing in the center, completely calm despite the chaos around them. The character 镇 suggests a place (town), while 定 signifies stability, helping you remember its meaning of being calm and composed.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 镇定 in contexts where calmness under pressure is essential, such as during emergencies or crisis situations. Avoid confusing it with similar terms like 平静 (píngjìng), which means peaceful or tranquil, as 镇定 emphasizes active composure rather than passive calmness.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 镇定 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and reactions. Students should focus on using it in phrases describing emotional control and practice its usage in complex sentences to show nuanced understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, maintaining a calm demeanor is highly valued, particularly in stressful situations, reflecting a person's maturity and wisdom. This concept is often illustrated in traditional stories where protagonists remain 镇定 to overcome challenges.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 镇定 with 冷静 (lěngjìng), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '他很镇定' (Tā hěn zhèndìng) in a casual situation where 冷静 would be more appropriate can lead to awkwardness. It's important to choose based on the context of emotional control versus general calmness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镇定

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Component Characters

镇zhènto press down
HSK 615 strokes钅
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定dìngto set
HSK 48 strokes宀
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Write 镇定

镇
定

Practice writing 镇定 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 镇定

镇定 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她设法让自己____下来，并小声问：“你有烟吗？”

Somehow she steadied herself and murmured, "Have you got a cigarette?"

Example Sentences for 镇定 (9)

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1
她设法让自己镇定下来，并小声问：“你有烟吗？”

tā shè fǎ ràng zì jǐ zhèn dìng xià lái， ， bìng xiǎo shēng：“ wèn ：“ nǐ yǒu？”

Somehow she steadied herself and murmured, "Have you got a cigarette?"
2
她镇定而且坚强，绝不会垮掉。

tā zhèn dìng ér qiě jiān qiáng， ， jué bù huì kuǎ。

She's calm and strong, and she is just not going to crack.
3
有一小会儿他看上去有些迟疑不定，之后又恢复了镇定。

yǒu yī xiǎo huì ér tā kàn shàng qù yǒu xiē chí yí bù dìng， ， zhī hòu yòu huī fù le zhèn。

For a minute he looked uncertain, and then recovered his composure.
4
盖尔镇定地注视着哈里，沉默了片刻。

gài ěr zhèn dìng dì zhù shì zháo hā lǐ， ， chén mò le piàn。

Gail was silent for a moment, regarding Harry with his steady gaze.
5
克里斯蒂面对记者，显得镇定自若。

kè lǐ sī dì miàn duì jì zhě， ， xiǎn dé zhèn dìng zì。

Christie looked relaxed and calm as he faced the press.
6
我确保自己听上去很镇定，但脑筋却飞快地转着。

wǒ què bǎo zì jǐ tīng shàng qù hěn zhèn dìng， ， dàn nǎo jīn què fēi kuài dì zhuǎn。

I made sure I sounded calm but my mind was racing.
7
我听到他叫她镇定.

wǒ tīng dào tā jiào tā zhèn dìng.

I heard he ask her to compose herself.
8
那男孩子镇定地关掉了煤气。

nà nán hái zǐ zhèn dìng dì guān diào le méi qì。

The boy had the presence of mind to turn off the gas.
9
杰克逊镇定自若，始终克制着情绪。

jié kè xùn zhèn dìng zì ruò， ， shǐ zhōng kè zhì zháo qíng。

Jackson remained calm and always master of his passions.

Cultural Notes for 镇定

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, maintaining a calm demeanor is highly valued, particularly in stressful situations, reflecting a person's maturity and wisdom. This concept is often illustrated in traditional stories where protagonists remain 镇定 to overcome challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions about 镇定

Yes, 镇定 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal speech or writing.