不定 (bù dìng) — (adjective) indefinite, uncertain, indeterminate; (adverb) perhaps, maybe (used before a verb or clause to express uncertainty)
Definition
Used as an adverb to mean 'perhaps / maybe' before a verb, and as an adjective for something uncertain or undecided (天气不定). Among the sibling 'maybe' words, 没准儿 is more colloquial, 而 也许 and 或许 are the standard adverb choices.
adjective
indefiniteuncertainindeterminate
adverb
perhapsmaybe (used before a verb or clause to express uncertainty)
Examples
- 不定，。Tiān qì biàn huà bù dìng, nǐ yào duō chuān yī fu.The weather is unpredictable; you should wear more clothes.
- 不定，。Tā bù dìng shén me shí hou huí lái, wǒ men bié děng le.He might come back at any time; let's not wait anymore.
- 不定。Zhè ge wèn tí de dá àn hái bù dìng.The answer to this question is still uncertain.
Appears in
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