Meaning of 一定
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- surely; certainly; definitely
- fixed; settled
- a certain ...; a given ...
How to use 一定
As an adverb, 一定 goes before the verb to mean definitely or must, and it can show a strong guess or a firm promise. As an adjective, it means a certain or a given amount, as in 一定的帮助 (a certain amount of help). Example: 我明天一定来。(Wǒ míngtiān yīdìng lái.) I will definitely come tomorrow.
一 (yī) means one and 定 (dìng) means to fix or settle. When something is settled as one fixed answer, it is certain.
Common mistake: Learners often put 一定 after the verb, as in 我来一定, but it must come before the verb: 我一定来. Also note the tone change in speech: 一 is usually said yí before a fourth tone, so 一定 sounds like yídìng.
一定 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
一 yī · one · 1 strokes
- 1
定 dìng · to fix · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 一定.
| 一起 | yīqǐ | (in) the same place; together; in company (with) |
| 一样 | yīyàng | same; like |
| 一些 | yīxiē | some; a few; a little; (following an adjective) slightly ...er |
| 一会儿 | yīhuìr | a moment; a while |
| 一半 | yībàn | half |
| 一边 | yībiān | one side; either side |
| 一点儿 | yīdiǎnr | erhua variant of 一點|一点[yi1 dian3] |
| 一块儿 | yīkuàir | erhua variant of 一塊|一块[yi1 kuai4] |
| 一下儿 | yīxiàr | erhua form of 一下[yi1 xia4] |
| 有一些 | yǒuyīxiē | somewhat; rather |
| 一直 | yīzhí | straight (in a straight line); continuously; always; all the way through |
| 一般 | yībān | same; ordinary |
Questions about 一定
What does 一定 mean?
一定 (yīdìng) means "surely; certainly; definitely; fixed; settled" and is used as a adjective and adverb.
How do you write 一定?
一定 is made of 2 characters: 一 (1 strokes), 定 (8 strokes). That is 9 strokes in total.
Is 一定 an HSK word?
Yes. 一定 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I say 'not necessarily' with 一定?
Put 不 before it: 不一定 (bù yīdìng) means not necessarily or not sure. For example, 他不一定知道 means he may not know. Note that 一定不 means definitely not, so the word order changes the meaning.
What is the difference between 一定 and 肯定 (kěndìng)?
Both can mean surely or definitely. 一定 is often used for promises, requests and strong determination, as in 你一定要来 (you must come). 肯定 leans more toward confident judgment and can also mean to affirm.