Meaning of 定期
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- at set dates
- at regular intervals
- periodic
- limited to a fixed period of time
- fixed term
How to use 定期
定期 is often used before a verb to mean doing something regularly, like 定期检查 (dìngqī jiǎnchá) regular checkups. It also describes things with a fixed term, such as 定期存款 (dìngqī cúnkuǎn) a fixed-term bank deposit. Example: 我定期去看牙医。(Wǒ dìngqī qù kàn yáyī.) I go to the dentist regularly.
定 (dìng) means to fix or settle, and 期 (qī) means a period or date, as in 日期 (rìqī). Put them together and you get a date that is fixed, so something happens at regular, set times.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 定期 for things that happen often but not on a schedule. For "often" use 经常 (jīngcháng); 定期 means at planned, regular intervals. Also keep 定 in the fourth tone, dìng, not dīng.
定期 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.
定 dìng · to fix · 8 strokes
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期 qī · a period of time · 12 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 定期.
| 星期 | xīngqī | week; day of the week |
| 日期 | rìqī | date |
| 星期天 | xīngqītiān | Sunday |
| 星期日 | xīngqīrì | Sunday |
| 一定 | yīdìng | surely; certainly; definitely; fixed; settled |
| 假期 | jiàqī | holiday period; vacation |
| 学期 | xuéqī | term; semester |
| 不一定 | bùyīdìng | not necessarily; maybe |
| 决定 | juédìng | to decide; to determine; to make up one's mind; decision (CL:個|个[ge4],項|项[xiang4]) |
| 确定 | quèdìng | definite; certain |
| 规定 | guīdìng | to stipulate; to specify; to prescribe; to fix (a price); to set (a quota); regulations; r |
| 长期 | chángqī | long-term; for a protracted period |
Questions about 定期
What does 定期 mean?
定期 (dìngqī) means "at set dates; at regular intervals" and is used as a verb and adjective.
How do you write 定期?
定期 is made of 2 characters: 定 (8 strokes), 期 (12 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 定期 an HSK word?
Yes. 定期 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 定期 and 按时?
定期 means something repeats at regular intervals, like every month. 按时 (ànshí) means doing something on time or by the deadline. You 定期 exercise, but you 按时 arrive at a meeting.
What is the opposite of 定期?
The common opposite is 不定期 (bú dìngqī), meaning irregular or not on a fixed schedule. For bank accounts, the opposite of 定期 is 活期 (huóqī), a demand or savings account you can withdraw from any time.