Meaning of 确定
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- definite
- certain
- fixed
- to fix (on sth)
- to determine
- to be sure
- to ensure
- to make certain
How to use 确定
确定 works as a verb meaning to confirm or decide on something, and as an adjective meaning sure or definite. It is very common in questions like 你确定吗 (nǐ quèdìng ma), "Are you sure?" Example: 我们还没确定时间。(Wǒmen hái méi quèdìng shíjiān.) We haven't fixed the time yet.
确 (què) means firm and true, as in 正确 (zhèngquè), and 定 (dìng) means fixed or settled, as in 一定 (yīdìng). Put them together and something is firmly fixed, so you are certain about it.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 确定 (quèdìng) and 决定 (juédìng). 决定 is making a choice, while 确定 is confirming or being sure about something. Also keep the tone on 确 falling (què), not rising.
确定 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.
确 què · certain · 12 strokes
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定 dìng · to fix · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 确定.
| 一定 | yīdìng | surely; certainly; definitely; fixed; settled |
| 正确 | zhèngquè | correct; sound; right; proper |
| 准确 | zhǔnquè | accurate; exact; precise |
| 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]) |
| 确实 | quèshí | indeed; really |
| 确保 | quèbǎo | to ensure; to guarantee |
| 规定 | guīdìng | to stipulate; to specify; to prescribe; to fix (a price); to set (a quota); regulations; r |
| 明确 | míngquè | clear-cut; definite; explicit; to clarify; to specify; to make definite |
| 制定 | zhìdìng | to draw up; to formulate |
| 否定 | fǒudìng | to negate; to deny |
| 定期 | dìngqī | at set dates; at regular intervals |
Questions about 确定
What does 确定 mean?
确定 (quèdìng) means "definite; certain" and is used as a adjective and verb.
How do you write 确定?
确定 is made of 2 characters: 确 (12 strokes), 定 (8 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 确定 an HSK word?
Yes. 确定 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 确定 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 确定 is written 確定.
What is the difference between 确定 and 一定?
一定 (yīdìng) usually goes before a verb to mean "surely" or "must", as in 他一定来 (tā yīdìng lái), "He will surely come." 确定 is about confirming facts or a person feeling sure, as in 我不确定 (wǒ bù quèdìng), "I'm not sure."
How do I say "I'm not sure" in Chinese?
The most natural way is 我不确定 (wǒ bù quèdìng). In casual speech people also say 不一定 (bù yīdìng), which means "not necessarily" or "it depends."