定做

• Pinyin: dìng zuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 定 = 宀 + 正 (to decide, commission); 做 = 人 + 故 (to make, do — extended from 作)

Meaning

To custom-make; to have something made to order or specification. Commissioning a product tailored to particular requirements.

Synonymous with 定制, though 定做 tends to be more informal and conversational. Used for clothing, furniture, software, wedding dresses, and specialised equipment. Emphasises bespoke craftsmanship and personalised fit rather than mass production.

Examples

1. 她专程赶到苏州的裁缝店，定做了一套精美的旗袍准备在婚礼上穿。 She made a special trip to a tailor shop in Suzhou to have an exquisite qipao custom-made for her wedding.
2. 公司为此次展览会定做了一批印有品牌标志的高档纪念品，赠送给重要客户。 For this trade show, the company had a batch of high-end souvenirs custom-made with its brand logo to give to important clients.
3. 这套橱柜是按厨房的实际尺寸定做的，每一个角落都得到了充分合理的利用。 These cabinets were custom-made to match the kitchen’s exact dimensions, making full and efficient use of every corner.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, furniture, manufacturing, personalisation, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 婚纱通常需要提前数月定做，以确保工艺精良、尺寸合体。(Wedding dresses usually need to be custom-made months in advance to ensure fine craftsmanship and a perfect fit.)
• 高端餐厅为了彰显品牌个性，往往将餐具、菜单乃至制服全部定做。(High-end restaurants often have their tableware, menus, and even uniforms all custom-made to express their brand identity.)

Don't Say

• 我定做了一个汉堡 — use 我点了一个汉堡 for ordering food; 定做 is for manufactured or crafted items, not food preparation or standard-menu orders

Origin & History

定 (decide/fix) + 做 (make/do)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal