Meaning of 特定
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- special; specific; designated; particular
How to use 特定
特定 usually goes directly before a noun, often with 的, to mean a specific or designated one, like 特定的时间 (a set time) or 特定人群 (a specific group of people). It sounds a bit formal and is common in writing, news, and rules. Example: 这种药只适合特定的病人。(Zhè zhǒng yào zhǐ shìhé tèdìng de bìngrén.) This medicine is only suitable for certain patients.
特 (tè) means special, as in 特别 (tèbié), and 定 (dìng) means fixed or settled, as in 决定 (juédìng). Something 特定 is specially fixed: one particular thing picked out on purpose.
Common mistake: Learners often use 特定 where 特别 (tèbié) belongs. 特别 can mean very or especially, as in 特别好, but 特定 never works as an adverb, so 特定好 is wrong. Also do not confuse it with 一定 (yīdìng), which means surely, as in 我一定来.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
特 tè · special · 10 strokes
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定 dìng · to fix · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 特定.
| 一定 | yīdìng | surely; certainly; definitely; fixed; settled |
| 特别 | tèbié | unusual; special; very; especially; particularly |
| 特点 | tèdiǎn | characteristic; trait; feature |
| 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 |
| 制定 | zhìdìng | to draw up; to formulate |
| 否定 | fǒudìng | to negate; to deny |
| 特色 | tèsè | a characteristic; a distinctive feature or quality |
| 定期 | dìngqī | at set dates; at regular intervals |
| 特殊 | tèshū | special; particular |
Questions about 特定
What does 特定 mean?
特定 (tèdìng) means "special; specific; designated; particular" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 特定?
特定 is made of 2 characters: 特 (10 strokes), 定 (8 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 特定 an HSK word?
Yes. 特定 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 特定 and 具体 (jùtǐ)?
特定 means a certain one that has been singled out or designated, like 特定场合 (a specific occasion). 具体 means concrete or detailed as opposed to vague, like 具体计划 (a detailed plan). You ask someone to 说具体一点, not 说特定一点.
Can 特定 be used as a predicate, like 这个很特定?
Not usually. 特定 is a non-gradable adjective that mostly sits before a noun, so it does not take 很 and rarely ends a sentence. Say 这是一个特定的情况 instead.