定
Quick Answer
定 (dìng) means "to decide, fixed, to fix" with 8 strokes, radical 宀 (roof), HSK 3 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
dìng
Meaning
Primary: to decide
Other meanings:
- fixed
- to fix
Etymology
Correct under the roof — fixed, certain
Mnemonic hooks the visual decomposition to a memorable image. The full oracle-bone to modern evolution is being added character-by-character via the Phase 13 etymology pass.
Decomposition
Breaking a character into its components makes it far easier to recall. Each component above links to its own detail page.
Basic info
| Pinyin | dìng |
| Meanings | to decide, fixed, to fix |
| Stroke count | 8 strokes |
| Radical | 宀 (#40: roof) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 3, write by hand at HSK 3 |
| Frequency | #13 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 定
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 定 | dìng | to decide, fixed | HSK 4 |
| 一定 | yídìng | Certain | HSK 3 |
| 决定 | juédìng | Decision | HSK 3 |
| 规定 | guīdìng | Regulations | HSK 4 |
| 肯定 | kěndìng | sure | HSK 4 |
| 稳定 | wěndìng | Stable | HSK 5 |
| 制定 | zhìdìng | Formulate | HSK 5 |
| 否定 | fǒudìng | negative | HSK 5 |
| 固定 | gùdìng | fixed | HSK 5 |
| 确定 | quèdìng | Determine | HSK 5 |
| 说不定 | shuōbudìng | maybe | HSK 5 |
| 安定 | āndìng | stable, quiet | HSK 7-9 |
| 必定 | bìdìng | be bound to, must | HSK 7-9 |
| 不定 | bùdìng | indefinite, uncertain | HSK 7-9 |
| 不一定 | bùyīdìng | not sure, not necessarily | |
| 裁定 | cáidìng | to rule, to decide | HSK 7-9 |
| 测定 | cèdìng | to measure, to determine | HSK 7-9 |
| 奠定 | diàndìng | to establish, to fix | HSK 7-9 |
| 定案 | dìng'àn | to reach a verdict |
Related characters
Similar meaning (abstract)
On the new HSK 3 exam
Studying for HSK 3? Keep 定 with the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Appears in these articles
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.