āndìng: 安定 - Stable, Settled, Secure

• Keywords: anding, 安定, Chinese for stable, Chinese for secure, settled life, social stability, calm down, stabilize, what does anding mean, an ding pinyin, Chinese culture stability
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 安定 (āndìng), a crucial Chinese term for “stable,” “secure,” and “settled.” This page explores how āndìng describes everything from a stable job and settled life to social stability and calming one's emotions. Discover the deep cultural value placed on security in China and learn how to use 安定 correctly to describe a life free from chaos and worry.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): āndìng
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be stable, settled, and free from disturbance; to stabilize or calm.
• In a Nutshell: 安定 (āndìng) goes beyond the simple English word “stable.” It captures a profound state of peace, security, and being settled. Think of it as the absence of chaos, uncertainty, and worry. An 安定 life is one where you have a secure job, a home, and can plan for the future without major upheavals. It can also describe a calm state of mind or a society that is orderly and harmonious.

• 安 (ān): This character famously depicts a woman (女) under a roof (宀). It evokes a powerful image of safety, peace, tranquility, and security found within a home.
• 定 (dìng): This character often suggests something being “fixed in place” or “decided.” The top part is a roof (宀), and the bottom part (originally 疋) helps convey the idea of setting or establishing something firmly.
• When combined, 安定 (āndìng) literally means “peacefully fixed” or “safely settled.” The characters together create a strong sense of lasting security and immovability, both for a person's life and their state of mind.

In Chinese culture, the pursuit of 安定 (āndìng) is often considered a fundamental life goal, arguably more so than the Western concept of “the pursuit of happiness.” While in American culture, risk-taking, adventure, and constant change can be celebrated as paths to self-discovery, traditional Chinese values often prioritize security as the foundation upon which happiness can be built. This value is deeply rooted in China's long and sometimes turbulent history, where periods of chaos and instability were common. As a result, having an 安定 life—a stable job (often called a “铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn)” or “iron rice bowl”), a family, and a predictable future—is highly prized. Parents often urge their children to find 安定 work rather than pursue a risky passion. This extends from the individual to the national level. The concept of 社会安定 (shèhuì āndìng), or “social stability,” is a cornerstone of government policy and public discourse. It reflects a collective desire for a harmonious, orderly, and predictable society, where people can 安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè)—“live and work in peace and contentment.” This contrasts with Western political discourse that may place a higher emphasis on individual liberty, even if it leads to social friction.

安定 (āndìng) is a versatile word used in various contexts, from personal life to national news.

• Describing a Life or Job: This is the most common use for learners. It signifies a life free from financial worry and constant moving.
  • e.g., `他想找一份安定的工作。` (He wants to find a stable job.)
  • e.g., `他们过着安定的生活。` (They live a settled life.)
• Describing Emotions or a Person: It means “calm,” “composed,” or “not easily agitated.” It can be used as a verb meaning “to calm down.”
  • e.g., `遇到问题，他的情绪很安定。` (When faced with problems, his emotions are very stable/calm.)
  • e.g., `你先安定一下情绪。` (Calm your emotions down first.)
• Describing a Society or Situation (Formal): In news, politics, or business, 安定 is used to describe a stable society, market, or political situation.
  • e.g., `保持社会安定是政府的首要任务。` (Maintaining social stability is the government's primary task.)

• Example 1:
  • 经历了那么多波折后，他终于过上了安定的生活。
  • Pinyin: Jīnglìle nàme duō bōzhé hòu, tā zhōngyú guò shàngle āndìng de shēnghuó.
  • English: After experiencing so many ups and downs, he finally began to live a stable and settled life.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures the core meaning of 安定 as a desirable state achieved after a period of instability.
• Example 2:
  • 父母总是希望孩子能有一份安定的工作。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ zǒng shì xīwàng háizi néng yǒu yī fèn āndìng de gōngzuò.
  • English: Parents always hope their children can have a stable job.
  • Analysis: This reflects the deep cultural value placed on job security as a cornerstone of an 安定 life.
• Example 3:
  • 请大家安定下来，听我把话说完。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā āndìng xiàlái, tīng wǒ bǎ huà shuō wán.
  • English: Everyone please settle down and let me finish speaking.
  • Analysis: Here, 安定 is used as a verb meaning “to settle down” or “become calm,” often used to control a restless crowd.
• Example 4:
  • 吃了药以后，病人的病情安定了许多。
  • Pinyin: Chīle yào yǐhòu, bìngrén de bìngqíng āndìngle xǔduō.
  • English: After taking the medicine, the patient's condition stabilized a lot.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of 安定 in a medical context to mean “stabilized” or “no longer critical.”
• Example 5:
  • 一个国家的发展需要一个安定的社会环境。
  • Pinyin: Yīgè guójiā de fǎzhǎn xūyào yīgè āndìng de shèhuì huánjìng.
  • English: A country's development requires a stable social environment.
  • Analysis: This is a formal, common usage in political and economic discussions, highlighting the link between stability and progress.
• Example 6:
  • 听到这个好消息，大家悬着的心终于安定了。
  • Pinyin: Tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxī, dàjiā xuánzhe de xīn zhōngyú āndìngle.
  • English: Hearing this good news, everyone's anxious hearts were finally put at ease.
  • Analysis: This example focuses on the psychological aspect of 安定—a feeling of relief and security after a period of worry.
• Example 7:
  • 他刚到新城市，需要时间安定下来。
  • Pinyin: Tā gāng dào xīn chéngshì, xūyào shíjiān āndìng xiàlái.
  • English: He just arrived in a new city and needs time to settle down.
  • Analysis: 安定下来 (āndìng xiàlái) is a common phrase for the process of settling into a new place, finding a home, and establishing a routine.
• Example 8:
  • 政府采取措施来安定物价。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ cǎiqǔ cuòshī lái āndìng wùjià.
  • English: The government is taking measures to stabilize prices.
  • Analysis: Here, 安定 is a verb meaning “to stabilize.” In this economic context, 稳定 (wěndìng) could also be used and is slightly more common.
• Example 9:
  • 他的存在给了我一种安定的感觉。
  • Pinyin: Tā de cúnzài gěile wǒ yī zhǒng āndìng de gǎnjué.
  • English: His presence gives me a feeling of security/calm.
  • Analysis: This shows how 安定 can describe a feeling that another person provides—a sense of safety and emotional stability.
• Example 10:
  • 动荡之后，最重要的是安定人心。
  • Pinyin: Dòngdàng zhīhòu, zuì zhòngyào de shì āndìng rénxīn.
  • English: After the turmoil, the most important thing is to reassure the people (lit. “stabilize the people's hearts”).
  • Analysis: 安定人心 is a set phrase used in social and political contexts, meaning to restore public confidence and calm social anxiety.

• `安定` (āndìng) vs. `稳定` (wěndìng): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `稳定` (wěndìng) is for physical, structural, or abstract stability. It's objective.
    • A bridge's structure is `稳定`.
    • Prices are `稳定`.
    • A person's performance can be `稳定`.
  • `安定` (āndìng) is for life, society, and emotions. It carries a subjective feeling of peace and security.
    • A person's life is `安定`.
    • A society is `安定`.
    • A person's mood is `安定`.
  • Incorrect: `这座桥很安定。` (This bridge is very āndìng.)
  • Correct: `这座桥很稳定。` (This bridge is very wěndìng.)
• `安定` vs. `安静` (ānjìng):
  • `安静` (ānjìng) means “quiet” or “silent”—it's about the absence of sound. A library is `安静`.
  • `安定` (āndìng) means an internal state of “calm” or “security.” A person's heart is `安定`. You can be in a noisy room but still feel `安定` inside (though it's difficult!).

• `稳定` (wěndìng) - Its closest synonym, but refers more to objective, physical, or numerical stability rather than the psychological peace of `安定`.
• `安全` (ānquán) - Safety; security from external threats or danger. `安全` is about not getting hurt, while `安定` is about not having to worry.
• `和平` (hépíng) - Peace, specifically the absence of war and major conflict. `和平` is a prerequisite for a truly `安定` society.
• `安静` (ānjìng) - Quiet; peaceful (in terms of sound). Describes an environment, not a life situation.
• `平静` (píngjìng) - Calm, tranquil. Often used to describe a person's temperament or a body of water. It's very close to the emotional sense of `安定` but doesn't imply a secure life.
• `踏实` (tāshi) - Steadfast, down-to-earth; the feeling of being grounded and at ease. A person who is `踏实` is likely to build an `安定` life.
• `安居乐业` (ānjūlèyè) - An idiom meaning “to live and work in peace and contentment.” It is the ultimate expression of a society and life that has achieved `安定`.
• `铁饭碗` (tiě fànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” A colloquial term for a secure, lifelong job, which is the primary vehicle for achieving an `安定` life for many.