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定额 (dìng é) — quota; norm

Definition

A fixed target number or standard set for output, time, or cost. Pairs with 完成/达到 (complete/reach); distinct from 任务 (task) and 标准 (general standard).

noun
quotanorm
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 定额。
    Gōng sī zhì dìng le xīn de shēng chǎn dìng é.
    The company set a new production quota.
  • 定额。
    Měi gè yuán gōng dōu yào wán chéng gōng zuò dìng é.
    Every employee must complete the work norm.
  • 定额。
    Zhè ge yuè de dìng é yǐ jīng dá dào le.
    This month's quota has already been reached.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

定dìngfixed
额éamount

「定」fixed and「额」amount combine into a set quota.

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.

Open 定 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 額; 额 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
客
客kè額é
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 額 combines 頁 (head), which points to the meaning, with 客, which gives the sound. The simplified 额 is a later abbreviation.

Open 额 →
Appears in
Business & Commerce

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