一定 (yīdìng) — certainly / a certain
HSK 3 | adverb / adjective | certainty or a fixed amount
一定 (yīdìng)
Used as an adverb meaning "certainly/definitely," or as an adjective meaning "a certain (amount/degree)."
Meanings
- [adverb] Certainly, definitely, surely.
- [adjective] A certain, a fixed, a particular (amount or degree).
Example Sentences
你一定要好好学习。 Nǐ yīdìng yào hǎohǎo xuéxí. You must study hard (for certain).
这件事一定很重要。 Zhè jiàn shì yīdìng hěn zhòngyào. This matter is certainly very important.
学好中文需要一定的时间。 Xué hǎo zhōngwén xūyào yīdìng de shíjiān. Learning Chinese well requires a certain amount of time.
他一定已经到家了。 Tā yīdìng yǐjīng dào jiā le. He has certainly already arrived home.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一定要 | must, have to |
| 一定会 | will certainly |
| 一定的 | a certain (modifier) |
| 一定程度 | a certain degree/extent |
| 不一定 | not necessarily |
Memory Hook
Think of 一 (one) and 定 (fixed/settled): once it is set to "one," the outcome is fixed — it is certain.