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断定 (duàn dìng) — to conclude; to determine (based on evidence or reasoning)

Definition

断定 is to reach a firm conclusion from evidence or reasoning, usually about a fact or cause (as in 医生断定他得的是肺炎). Closer in feel to 判定 (a deliberate judgment) than to 认定 (a confirmation after investigation).

verb
to concludeto determine (based on evidence or reasoning)

Examples

  • ，断定。
    Gēn jù xiàn yǒu zhèng jù, jǐng fāng duàn dìng tā jiù shì xiōng shǒu.
    Based on the current evidence, the police concluded that he was the murderer.
  • ，断定。
    Zài méi yǒu diào chá zhī qián, bú yào qīng yì duàn dìng rèn hé shì qing.
    Without investigation, don't easily conclude anything.
  • 断定。
    Yī shēng duàn dìng tā dé de shì fèi yán.
    The doctor determined that he had pneumonia.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

断duànjudge
定dìngdetermine

断 and 定 both express deciding, so the word means to conclude firmly.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Thinking & Cognition

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