限定

• Pinyin: xiàn dìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 限 = 阝+ 艮 (boundary); 定 = 宀 + 正 (fixed under a roof)

Meaning

To limit; to specify; to define within set parameters or conditions.

More precise than 限制; implies clear specification or definition of scope. Common in legal, academic, and marketing contexts. Also used for limited-edition products.

Examples

1. 合同明确限定了双方各自的权利与义务。 The contract clearly defines each party’s rights and obligations.
2. 研究范围被限定在亚太地区的六个主要城市。 The research scope was limited to six major cities in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. 该款式为限定发行版本，仅面向会员开放购买。 This style is a limited-release edition and is available for purchase only to members.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, academia

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 本次讨论的议题限定在预算调整范围之内。(The agenda for this discussion is limited to the scope of budget adjustments.)
• 申请条件限定为具有硕士及以上学历的应届毕业生。(Application conditions specify current graduates with a master's degree or above.)

Don't Say

• 限定我不能去那里 — 限定 defines scope or parameters, not personal permission; use 禁止我去 or 不允许我去 instead

Origin & History

限 (limit/restrict) + 定 (set/determine/fix) — to firmly set a boundary

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult professionals

Social background: Universal