稳定 (wěn dìng) — (adjective) stable, steady; (verb) to stabilize, to steady

Definition

A common adjective for things that are steady and unchanging (prices, jobs, emotions). As a verb it means to steady or calm. More everyday than 安定 or 稳固, which sound more formal/written.

adjective
stablesteady
verb
to stabilizeto steady

Examples

  • 稳定
    Zhè ge guó jiā xū yào wěn dìng de zhèng zhì huán jìng.
    This country needs a stable political environment.
  • 稳定
    Tā hē le yì bēi shuǐ, wěn dìng le yí xià qíng xù.
    He drank a glass of water and steadied his emotions for a moment.
  • 稳定
    Wù jià yì zhí hěn wěn dìng, méi yǒu shàng zhǎng.
    Prices have been very stable, with no increase.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

wěnsteady
dìngsettled

稳 and 定 both convey steadiness, together meaning stable or to make steady.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 稳 →

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
mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
zhèngdìng
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.

Open 定 →

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