测定

• Pinyin: cè dìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 测 = 氵(water) + 则, to measure; 定 = 宀 + 疋, to determine

Meaning

To determine; to measure; to assess. Scientific measurement to establish values.

A formal verb used primarily in scientific, technical, and official contexts for precise measurement or determination. Common in laboratories (测定含量 determine content), quality control (测定标准 determine standards), and research (测定数据 measure data).

Examples

1. 实验室正在测定水样中的污染物含量。 The laboratory is determining the pollutant content in water samples.
2. 这台仪器可以精确测定物体的重量。 This instrument can precisely measure the weight of objects.
3. 研究人员测定了这种新材料的物理性质。 Researchers determined the physical properties of this new material.

Usage Guide

Context: scientific, technical, official

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 请按照标准流程测定样品的各项指标。(Please measure all indicators of the sample according to standard procedures.)
• 测定结果显示污染物超标。(The measurement results show that pollutants exceed the standard.)

Don't Say

• 日常口语中一般用'量'或'测'而不是'测定' (In everyday speech, use 量 or 测 rather than 测定 — 测定 is technical jargon)

Origin & History

Compound of 测 (to measure) + 定 (to determine). Indicates measuring to establish a fixed value.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Technical professionals