Comparing "kending" "queding" and “yiding"

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If you look up 肯定, 确定 and 一定 in the dictionary, they all have pretty close meanings, like "certain" or "surely". However,using them correctly in a sentence is a bit more complicated. Luckily, this article clearly shows us how to get them right!

Overview 概述

So how are these three words words different? We can answer this question from two points of view:

From a parts of speech point of view:

肯定 can be a verb, an adjective and an adverb. 确定 can be a verb or an adjective. 一定 can be an adjective or an adverb.

From a significance or meaning point of view:

肯定 often has a subjective, energetic feel to it。 It has carries meanings like 认可 (approval), 同意 (agreement), and 保证 (guarantee). 确定 carries a feeling of objectively describing a situation. It carries the meaning of 决定 (to decide, to resolve). 一定 as an adjective has really broad uses, so you need to pay attention to the specific times it's used in. As an adverb, it is often used to give a reinforcing tone.


"肯定" and "确定" as a Verb

肯定 and 确定 can both be verbs, but their use and meanings are different. 一定 cannot be used as a verb.


“肯定”和“确定”都可以作动词,但是用法和意义不同。“一定”不能作动词。

Structure with 肯定

肯定 can express that something is satisfactory (对…满意), often used when a superior evaluates subordinates. When used this way, it should be followed directly by a noun or a phrase that is acting as a noun (noun phrase).


肯定 + Noun./Noun Phrase

I can also be used to express "Ï am sure". When used this way it is usually a clause at the end of a sentence.


Subject + (敢)肯定 + sentences

Examples with 肯定

  • 老板 肯定 了 我们 团队 的 工作。
  • 如果 想 让 别人 肯定 你,你 就 要 好好 做。
  • 我 敢 肯定 这 就 是 他 的 声音。

Structure with 确定

You can also add a verb phrase a preposition phrase after 确定, which makes it mean that that something is already set, often used in describing a progressing condition.


确定 + Phrases / short sentences

Examples with 确定

  • 我们 还 没有 确定 什么 时候 开始。
  • 已经 确定了 三 个 人,还 差 一 个。
  • 确定 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人?

Examples of right or wrong sentences

  • 我们 要 先 肯定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。
  • 我们 要 先 确定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。
  • 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 工作 很 努力。
  • 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 的 努力 工作。

"肯定" "一定" as an Adverb

肯定 and 确定 can both be adverbs, and the grammar structure for both are similar. 肯定 emphasized more of a subjective judgement or promise. 一定 sometimes carries an air of forcing something or issuing a command.

“肯定”和“一定”都可以作副词,结构相同,“肯定”更侧重强调主观判断或许诺,“一定”有时候带有强求或命令的语气。

Structure with 肯定

肯定 + Adjective / Verb

Examples with 肯定

  • 肯定 还 没 起床,手机 现在 还 没 开 机。
  • 这 次 我 肯定 不 骗 你,骗 你 是 小 狗,好 吧?

Structure with 一定

一定 + Adjective / Verb

Examples with 一定

  • 明天 你们 一定 要 来。
  • 一定 要 小心。

Right or Wrong

  • 你们 肯定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。
  • 你们 一定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。

"肯定" "确定" "一定" as as Adjectives

All three of these can be placed before a noun as adjectives. But in this grammar structure, 肯定 and 确定 use their verb meanings, and 一定 as an adjective means "somethng particular

都可以放在名词前面。但是在这个结构中,“肯定”和“确定”都是它们作为动词时的意义,“一定”作形容词的时候不表达一种语气,表示“某种特定的”。

Structures

肯定 + (的 +) Noun

确定 + (的 +) Noun

一定 + (的 +) Noun

Examples

  • 如果 你 问 我 是不是 知道 这 件 事情,我 的 回答 是 肯定 的。
  • 请 给 我 一 个 确定 的 回答,不 要 总是 这么 模糊。
  • 我们 之间 要 保持 一定 距离。
  • 这 件 事 和 他 有 一定 的 关系,不 能 都 怪 你。

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries