定金

• Pinyin: dìng jīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 定 = 宀 + 正 (to settle, fix); 金 = pictograph of metal nuggets under the ground (gold, money)

Meaning

Deposit; earnest money. A legally binding advance payment made to secure a transaction, subject to forfeiture or double-return rules upon breach.

Legally distinct from 订金 (a simple advance that can be returned). Under Chinese contract law, if the payer defaults the 定金 is forfeited; if the payee defaults they must return double. Commonly used in property purchases, vehicle sales, and high-value contracts.

Examples

1. 签订购房合同时，买方须支付房屋总价百分之十的定金作为担保。 When signing the home purchase contract, the buyer must pay a 10% deposit as security.
2. 由于卖方单方面违约，买方依法要求对方双倍返还定金。 Because the seller breached the contract unilaterally, the buyer legally demanded double the deposit back.
3. 支付定金之前，务必仔细阅读合同条款，充分了解各项违约后果。 Before paying a deposit, be sure to read the contract terms carefully and fully understand the consequences of any breach.

Usage Guide

Context: law, real estate, commerce, contracts

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 根据合同约定，任何一方违约均须承担定金罚则的法律后果。(According to the contract, either party in breach must bear the legal consequences of the deposit penalty clause.)
• 购车时支付定金后，销售方有义务按约定时间交付车辆，否则须双倍返还。(After paying the deposit for a vehicle purchase, the seller is obligated to deliver the car at the agreed time; otherwise, double the amount must be returned.)

Don't Say

• 定金和订金是一样的 — they are legally distinct; 定金 carries statutory penalty rules whereas 订金 is just an advance payment with no mandatory penalty structure

Origin & History

定 (fix/settle) + 金 (gold/money)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal