jat1 ding6一定
Jyutpingjat1 ding6
Yaleyāt dihng
Definition
Certainly, surely, or definitely.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Functions as a strong adverb to express high confidence or necessity. It often carries a sense of expectation or insistence, making it common in advice, promises, or predictions about the future. Unlike formal written Chinese, it is frequently paired with modal particles like 㗎 or 喇 to soften the tone or add emphasis to the speaker's conviction.
Examples
You must remember to bring an umbrella tomorrow.
He has worked so hard, he will certainly pass the exam.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 必須, which is more formal and implies a moral or external obligation. While 一定 can also imply necessity, it is primarily used to describe the high probability of an outcome or a strong personal certainty.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
