kěndìng: 肯定 - To Affirm, Definitely, Certain

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• Summary: Learn how to use 肯定 (kěndìng), a versatile and essential Chinese word meaning 'definitely,' 'to affirm,' or 'certain.' This comprehensive guide explains the core meaning of 肯定, its cultural significance in giving praise, and provides many practical examples for using it correctly in conversation. Understand the important nuances between kěndìng vs. 一定 (yīdìng) and master how to express certainty like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kěndìng
• Part of Speech: Adverb, Verb, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To express certainty or agreement; to affirm something as true, definite, or positive.
• In a Nutshell: 肯定 (kěndìng) is your go-to word in Chinese for showing you are sure about something. It's much stronger than a simple “yes.” Think of it as “for sure,” “absolutely,” or “without a doubt.” You can use it to state a definite plan (e.g., “I'm definitely going”), to express a strong opinion (e.g., “This is definitely the best”), or to give someone positive feedback (e.g., “The boss affirmed my hard work”).

• 肯 (kěn): This character means “to be willing” or “to consent.” It suggests a sense of agreement or voluntary acceptance.
• 定 (dìng): This character means “to fix,” “to settle,” or “to decide.” It carries a feeling of stability, finality, and being unchangeable.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, 肯定 (kěndìng) literally means something like “willingly settled” or “consented and fixed.” This combination creates the powerful modern meaning of being certain, sure, and affirmed. It’s a belief that is both willingly held and firmly decided.

In Chinese culture, giving or receiving 肯定 (kěndìng) carries significant weight, especially in hierarchical relationships like at work or school. It's more than just a statement of fact; it's an act of validation and approval. Compare this to the Western concept of “positive feedback.” While an American boss might say, “Good job on the report,” a Chinese manager who 肯定 (kěndìng) your work is doing something more profound. They are formally acknowledging your competence and contribution, which gives you “face” (面子, miànzi) and solidifies your good standing within the group. It's a formal confirmation of value. Conversely, not receiving 肯定 when you expect it can be a subtle sign of disapproval or that your work did not meet expectations. Therefore, understanding when to give and how to interpret 肯定 is crucial for navigating social and professional situations in China. It's a tool for building relationships and showing respect.

肯定 is extremely common in daily life. Its function changes based on its grammatical role.

This is how you'll hear it used most often. It's placed before the verb or adjective to add certainty.

• “He will definitely come tomorrow.” (他明天肯定会来。)
• “Don't worry, you'll surely pass the exam.” (别担心，你肯定能通过考试。)

This usage is slightly more formal and is common in work, academic, or serious contexts.

• “The teacher affirmed my progress.” (老师肯定了我的进步。)
• “I can't confirm whether this news is true or not.” (我不能肯定这个消息是真是假。)

This usage often describes an answer, opinion, or result.

• “Please give me a definite answer.” (请给我一个肯定的答复。)

• Example 1:
  • 你放心，我明天肯定会来。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ míngtiān kěndìng huì lái.
  • English: Don't worry, I will definitely come tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Here, 肯定 is an adverb expressing a firm promise or a highly certain prediction. It reassures the listener.
• Example 2:
  • 老板肯定了我们团队的工作。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn kěndìng le wǒmen tuánduì de gōngzuò.
  • English: The boss affirmed our team's work.
  • Analysis: This is the verb usage. It means the boss formally approved of and praised the team's performance. This is a very positive and motivating statement in a Chinese workplace.
• Example 3:
  • 我需要一个肯定的答复，而不是“可能”。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yīgè kěndìng de dáfù, ér bùshì “kěnéng”.
  • English: I need a definite answer, not a “maybe”.
  • Analysis: Here, 肯定的 acts as an adjective modifying “answer” (答复). It emphasizes the need for certainty.
• Example 4:
  • 这么晚了，他肯定已经睡了。
  • Pinyin: Zhème wǎn le, tā kěndìng yǐjīng shuì le.
  • English: It's so late, he has surely already gone to sleep.
  • Analysis: 肯定 is used here to state a logical deduction. Based on the evidence (the late hour), the speaker is very sure of the conclusion.
• Example 5:
  • A: 你觉得这个计划能成功吗？ (Nǐ juéde zhège jìhuà néng chénggōng ma?) - Do you think this plan can succeed?
  • B: 那肯定啊！ (Nà kěndìng a!) - That's for sure! / Of course!
  • Analysis: This is a very common, colloquial response. 那肯定啊 is a standalone phrase used to express enthusiastic and absolute agreement.
• Example 6:
  • 虽然他很努力，但我不能肯定他能赢。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán tā hěn nǔlì, dàn wǒ bùnéng kěndìng tā néng yíng.
  • English: Although he works hard, I can't be sure that he can win.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, 不能肯定 (bù néng kěndìng), which means “cannot be sure” or “cannot confirm.” It expresses uncertainty.
• Example 7:
  • 他的发言得到了大家的肯定。
  • Pinyin: Tā de fāyán dédàole dàjiā de kěndìng.
  • English: His speech received everyone's approval/affirmation.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 肯定 functions as a noun, meaning “approval” or “affirmation.” This is a slightly more formal usage.
• Example 8:
  • 这家餐厅的菜肯定好吃，每天都这么多人排队。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài kěndìng hǎochī, měitiān dōu zhème duō rén páiduì.
  • English: This restaurant's food is definitely delicious; so many people line up every day.
  • Analysis: Another example of making a confident judgment based on evidence (the long line of people).
• Example 9:
  • 你肯定你锁门了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěndìng nǐ suǒ mén le ma?
  • English: Are you sure you locked the door?
  • Analysis: Here, 肯定 is used as a verb in a question to ask someone to confirm their certainty about a past action.
• Example 10:
  • 学习一门新语言肯定不容易，但很有意思。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán kěndìng bù róngyì, dàn hěn yǒu yìsi.
  • English: Learning a new language is definitely not easy, but it's very interesting.
  • Analysis: 肯定 can be used to affirm a negative statement (不容易 - not easy), making it stronger. It means “it's for sure not easy.”

• `肯定 (kěndìng)` vs. `一定 (yīdìng)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 肯定 (kěndìng) is about judgment and belief. You've assessed the situation and are sure of the outcome. (e.g., “Look at those dark clouds. It will definitely rain.” - 天那么黑，肯定会下雨。)
  • 一定 (yīdìng) is about determination, requirement, or promise. It's about will or obligation. (e.g., “Don't worry, I promise I will definitely come.” - 别担心，我一定会来。)
  • Mistake: Saying 我肯定要学好中文 (I definitely want to learn Chinese well). While not strictly wrong, 我一定要学好中文 is much more natural as it expresses determination.
• `肯定 (kěndìng)` vs. `是的 (shì de)`:
  • 是的 (shì de) or 对 (duì) are for simple confirmation. They mean “Yes” or “That's right.”
  • 肯定 (kěndìng) is for emphatic agreement or certainty. It means “Absolutely!” or “For sure!”
  • Mistake: If someone asks, “Are you a student?” (你是学生吗?), responding with “肯定” is grammatically okay but sounds overly intense and a bit strange. A simple “是的” or “对” is the correct, natural response.

• 一定 (yīdìng) - A close but distinct term meaning “definitely” or “must.” It emphasizes determination, a promise, or a rule, whereas `肯定` emphasizes judgment and certainty.
• 当然 (dāngrán) - A synonym meaning “of course” or “naturally.” Used when the answer is obvious or self-evident.
• 确实 (quèshí) - A synonym meaning “indeed” or “for real.” It's often used to agree with and confirm a fact that someone else has just stated. It feels more objective than `肯定`.
• 确定 (quèdìng) - A verb meaning “to determine,” “to make certain,” or “to confirm.” `确定` is the action of making something sure, while `肯定` is the state of being sure.
• 否定 (fǒudìng) - The direct antonym of `肯定`. It means “to negate,” “to deny,” or “negative.”
• 承认 (chéngrèn) - To admit or to acknowledge. You `承认` a mistake, but you `肯定` a success.
• 毫无疑问 (háo wú yí wèn) - An idiom (chengyu) that means “without a doubt.” It is a very strong and formal synonym for `肯定`.
• 同意 (tóngyì) - To agree or to consent. This is about agreeing with someone's opinion or granting a request, which is different from being certain about a fact.
• 赞成 (zànchéng) - To approve of or to be in favor of. This implies support for a proposal or idea.