ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
定
to decide; fixed; certainly
dìng
8 strokes · 宀 (roof radical) + 正-variant (upright) — settled under a roof · HSK 3
What 定 is made of
宀 + 正 = 定
宀roof
正correct / upright / just (now) zhèng
Where 定 comes from
定 places uprightness under a roof 宀: the household in order, everything in its place. From 'settled' came 'fixed', 'decided', and the adverb of certainty — what's settled is sure.
定 in Chinese culture
一定 'certainly' seals Chinese promises: 我一定来 'I will definitely come'. 决定 to decide, 定金 a deposit ('fixed money'). The app's own namesake line from《大学》continues: 知止而后有定 — knowing where to stop brings 定, stability.
Example
一定 yídìng — certainly; must
你一定要来!
Nǐ yídìng yào lái!
You absolutely must come!
How to remember it
Everything upright under the roof 宀 — SETTLED, DECIDED, CERTAIN.
淡定 'calm and settled' is the modern compliment for grace under pressure — the internet's favorite two-character prescription for every crisis.
Same sound, different tones
定
4th dìng
to decide; fixed
Words unlocked by 定
一定 yídìng
certainly
决定 juédìng
to decide
Related characters
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