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定 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
定dìngto setHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
定dìngto fixHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
定dìngto determineHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
定dìngto decideHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
定dìngto orderHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
定dìngto decide, to fix, to settle; to order; definite, fixed, sureHSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #392, Medium
dìng(ding4) T4
  1. 1to set
  2. 2to fix
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
定dìng(ding4)

The character 定 (dìng) means to set, fix, determine, or decide something. It is commonly used in contexts where a decision is made, such as setting a date or fixing a price. The nuance implies a sense of certainty and finality in the action.

Strokes8Radical宀Frequency#392DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of making fixed decisions is often associated with the importance of stability and reliability, particularly in business and personal commitments. For instance, setting a wedding date is considered a significant step in Chinese traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person ‘setting’ a table for a dinner party. The character 定 looks like a table with a roof (the top part) and legs (the bottom part) symbolizing something stable and fixed. Remember the sound 'dìng' as you imagine the clinking of dishes being ‘set’ on the table.

Meanings of 定

dìng(ding4)
1to set
2to fix
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 定

定Simplified
8Strokes
宀Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#392Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRB1

Podcast: 定

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Podcast: 定

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AI Study Notes for 定

Quick Contrast

确定 (quèdìng) is used when emphasizing the confirmation or assurance of something, while 定 (dìng) focuses more on the act of setting or deciding.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person ‘setting’ a table for a dinner party. The character 定 looks like a table with a roof (the top part) and legs (the bottom part) symbolizing something stable and fixed. Remember the sound 'dìng' as you imagine the clinking of dishes being ‘set’ on the table.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 定 with similar-sounding words that convey different meanings. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s essential to pair it with appropriate nouns for clarity, such as 定价 (fixed price) or 决定 (decision).

HSK Study Tips

定 is relevant to HSK Level 3 and 4, connecting with words like 决定 (juédìng - to decide) and 设定 (shèdìng - to set up). Students should focus on its use in decision-making contexts and practice forming phrases with it.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of making fixed decisions is often associated with the importance of stability and reliability, particularly in business and personal commitments. For instance, setting a wedding date is considered a significant step in Chinese traditions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 定 by saying things like '我定了这个' (Wǒ dìngle zhège) when they mean 'I reserved this' instead of 'I decided this.' The correct term for reserving is 预定 (yùdìng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 定

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Etymology of 定

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A person 疋 settling under a roof 宀

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 定?

Decomposition of 定

IDS Structure⿱宀疋
定Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
疋pi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 定?

Write 定

定

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

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Grammar Patterns of 定

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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

明天一____会更好。

Tomorrow will definitely be better.

Example Sentences for 定 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我尤其喜欢那种用螺钉固定在墙上的搁板。

wǒ yóu qí xǐ huān nà zhǒng yòng luó dīng gù dìng zài qiáng shàng de gē bǎn。

I particularly like the type of shelving that screws to the wall.
2
决定你人生高度的，不是你的才能，而是你的态度。

jué dìng nǐ rén shēng gāo dù de， ， bù shì nǐ de cái， néng ， ér shì nǐ de。

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.--Zig Ziglar
3
对于这个决定的反应非常不一致。

duì yú zhè gè jué dìng de fǎn yīng fēi cháng bù yī zhì。

There has been a very mixed reaction to the decision.
4
我们被教导要以特定的方式理解这些词语。

wǒ mén bèi jiào dǎo yào yǐ tè dìng de fāng shì lǐ jiě zhè xiē cí yǔ。

We are taught to construe these terms in a particular way.
5
定期航班的数量正让空中交通指挥系统不堪重负。

dìng qī háng bān de shù liáng zhèng ràng kōng zhōng jiāo tōng zhǐ huī xì tǒng bù kān zhòng fù。

The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system.
6
坎贝尔公司的总裁退休后，麦戈文被选定为继任者。

kǎn bèi ěr gōng sī de zǒng cái tuì xiū hòu， ， mài gē wén bèi xuǎn dìng wéi jì rèn。

When the chairman of Campbell's retired, McGovern was named as his successor.
7
他们发行一定数量的可公开交易的股票。

tā mén fā háng yī dìng shù liáng de kě gōng kāi jiāo yì de gǔ piào。

They issue a fixed number of shares that trade publicly.
8
条约规定他们必须尊重其邻国的独立。

tiáo yuē guī dìng tā mén bì xū zūn zhòng qí lín guó de dú lì。

The treaty binds them to respect their neighbour's independence.
9
这样的地产是否可获得大笔收益还要视具体情形而定。

zhè yàng de dì chǎn shì fǒu kě huò dé dà bǐ shōu yì huán yào shì jù tǐ qíng xíng ér dìng。

Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations.
10
建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋顶固定得更牢靠些。

jiàn zào gōng rén bì xū bǎ xīn jiàn fáng wū de wū dǐng gù dìng dé gēng láo kào xiē。

Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.

Cultural Notes for 定

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of making fixed decisions is often associated with the importance of stability and reliability, particularly in business and personal commitments. For instance, setting a wedding date is considered a significant step in Chinese traditions.

Word Family of 定

Compounds19
绽zhan4to crack; to burst open; to split at the seams
淀dian4shallow water
锭ding4spindle, ingot; tablet, slab
靛dian4indigo, blue dye
掟
腚ding4buttocks
錠ding4spindle, ingot; tablet, slab
啶ding4in chemistry, -dine
碇ding4anchor
萣
埞
婝
椗
琔
綻zhan4to crack; to burst open; to split at the seams
聢
蝊
諚
顁
Words Containing This Character20
一定yídìngsurely
肯定kěndìngto be certain
决定juédìngto resolve決定
确定quèdìngdefinite確定
定dìngto set
规定guīdìngprovision規定
稳定wěndìngsteady穩定
制定zhìdìngto draw up
固定gùdìngto fix
定位dìngwèito orientate
注定zhùdìngto foreordain註定
鉴定jiàndìngto appraise鑑定
认定rèndìngto determine (a fact)認定
说不定shuōbudìngmaybe說不定
约定yuēdìngto arrange約定
坚定jiāndìngfirm堅定
测定cèdìngto survey and evaluate測定
指定zhǐdìngto appoint
定义dìngyìdefinition定義
定期dìngqīat set dates
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 绽 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 定

You can use 定 to express setting something, for example, 定一个时间 (dìng yī gè shíjiān) means 'to set a time'.