定型 (dìng xíng) — to finalize a design; to set a fixed pattern; t… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

定型 means something has settled into a fixed, unchanging pattern — used for designs, personality, or habits that are now hard to change. Often paired with 已经 to mark the moment something became set.

verb

to finalize a designto set a fixed patternto standardize

Examples

定型。
Zhè ge chǎn pǐn de shè jì yǐ jīng dìng xíng le.
This product's design has been finalized.
定型，。
Tā de xìng gé yǐ jīng dìng xíng, hěn nán gǎi biàn.
His personality has already become fixed; it's hard to change.
。
Wǒ men wèi zhè ge líng jiàn dìng le yí gè xíng.
We set a standard shape for this part.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

型xíngpattern

Setting a fixed pattern or shape makes a design final.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀mián

Sound part声符shēngfú

正

正zhèng定dìng

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

定 is built from 宀 and 正, with 正 supplying the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

刑土型

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

刑

刑xíng型xíng

Same sound today

型 pairs 土 (earth) with 刑, which supplies the sound; the shape shows an earthen mold, hence form or pattern.

Appears in

Change & Process

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