约定 (yuē dìng) — to agree on (a plan, arrangement, etc. after di…

Definition

约定 is 'to agree on / arrange' a plan or time together, after mutual discussion. Use 约会 for a social date, and 规定 for a one-sided rule or regulation.

verb

to agree on (a plan, arrangement, etc. after discussion)to make an appointmentto promise to meet

约定。
Wǒ men yuē dìng le jiàn miàn de shí jiān.
We agreed on a meeting time.
约定。
Tā men yuē dìng míng tiān wǎn shàng tán yi tán.
They arranged to talk tomorrow evening.
约定？
Nǐ yuē dìng le yí gè shí jiān ma?
Did you arrange a time?

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

约yuēagree/arrange

约 and 定 both carry arranging and setting, giving the sense of agreeing on or making an arrangement.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 約; 约 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìrope

Sound part声符shēngfú

勺

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

The traditional form 約 uses 糸, a rope, for its meaning and 勺 for its sound; the simplified 约 is a later shorthand.

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

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.

Appears in