定
determine, fix, establish, decide
Readings
On'yomi
- テイ
- ジョウ
Kun'yomi
- さだ.める
- さだ.まる
- さだ.か
Nanori
- さた
Meaning
定 centers on making something firm and settled: determining a course, fixing a value, establishing a rule, or deciding an outcome. All its meanings share the idea of bringing something from an unsettled state into a stable, definite one.
Most common words using 定
24 of 1,245- 予定よていN4
plans; arrangement; schedule; program; programme; expectation; estimate
- 設定せっていN2
establishment; creation; posing (a problem); setting (movie, novel, etc.); scene
- 限定げんていN1
limit; restriction
- 決定けっていN3
decision; determination
- 指定していN3
designation; specification; assignment; appointment; pointing at
- 特定とくていN2
specific; particular; designated; special
- 安定あんていN3
stability; steadiness; consistency; equilibrium; balance; composure
- 定期ていきN3
fixed period; fixed term
- 固定こていN1
fixing (in place); being fixed (in place); securing; anchoring; fastening down
- 確定かくていN2
decision; settlement; confirmation; establishment
- 認定にんてい
authorization; authorisation; acknowledgment; acknowledgement; certification; recognition
- 否定ひていN3
denial; negation; repudiation; disavowal
- 一定いっていN3
to fix; to settle; to standardize; to regularize
- 規定きていN1
stipulation; prescription; provision; regulation; rule
- 定義ていぎN1
definition
- 想定そうていN1
hypothesis; supposition; assumption; expectation; anticipation
- 判定はんていN1
judgement; judgment; decision; ruling; finding; adjudication; verdict; call
- 測定そくていN2
measurement
- 定着ていちゃくN2
sticking (in one place, position, etc.); settling; fixing; adherence
- 不安定ふあんていN3
instability; insecurity; crankiness
- 協定きょうていN1
arrangement; pact; agreement
- 定番ていばん
standard item; usual thing; (a) classic; go-to choice; staple; regular fixture; standard procedure; convention
- 推定すいていN2
presumption; assumption
- 鑑定かんていN1
judgement; judgment; expert opinion; appraisal
Study
Etymology
定 combines 宀 (roof, house) with a lower element that is a simplified form of 正 (correct, straight). The idea is of something being set straight or made correct under a roof, hence 'determine, fix, establish'.
Meaning mnemonic
Under a roof (宀), a carpenter uses a level to make sure everything is straight and fixed in place. That act of setting things right is 定: to determine, fix, and establish.
Reading mnemonic
For テイ, imagine a table (テーブル, tēburu) being fixed firmly in place under the roof. The 'tei' sound from 'table' (テイ) helps you remember the reading.