确定

• Pinyin: què dìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 确 = 石 (stone) + 角 (horn, phonetic), meaning certain; 定 = 宀 (roof) + 正 (correct), meaning to fix or settle

Meaning

To confirm; to determine; certain; definite. Indicates that something has been decided or is beyond doubt.

Works as both a verb (确定时间 = confirm the time, 确定方案 = determine the plan) and an adjective (确定的答案 = a definite answer). Extremely common in everyday speech: 你确定吗？(Are you sure?). Also used in formal contexts for making decisions official.

Examples

1. 你确定明天能来吗？ Are you sure you can come tomorrow?
2. 会议的时间已经确定了，是下周三。 The meeting time has been confirmed — it's next Wednesday.
3. 我们还没有确定最后的方案。 We haven't finalised the plan yet.

Usage Guide

Context: decisions, planning, confirmation, everyday

Tone: decisive

Do Say

• 你确定这样做没问题吗？(Are you sure there's no problem doing it this way?)
• 时间确定了再通知大家。(Notify everyone once the time is confirmed.)

Don't Say

• 我确定这个菜很好吃。(Using 确定 to state a personal opinion sounds odd — say 我觉得 or 我肯定 instead. 确定 is for facts and decisions, not taste preferences.)

Origin & History

确 means certain or solid (石 stone + phonetic); 定 means to fix or settle (宀 roof + 正 correct). Together: something settled as solid as stone — beyond doubt.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal