定

Do It in Advance

Level 3Sounds Like ding6

Use 定 (ding6) after a verb to show you are doing something 'beforehand' or 'in advance' so that you are ready for what comes next.

How It Works

In Cantonese, when you want to express that you are doing something now to prepare for later, you use the particle 定 (ding6).

1. Placement:
It is a verbal suffix, meaning it must come immediately after the verb. If there is an object, it follows the particle: [Verb] + 定 + [Object].

2. Nuance of Readiness:
While English often uses the adverb 'in advance,' Cantonese uses this aspect marker to show the result of the action is now 'set.' For example, 買定 (maai5 ding6) doesn't just mean you bought something; it means you bought it specifically so you have it ready for a future purpose.

3. Common Pairing with 先 (sin1):
In daily speech, 定 is very frequently paired with the sentence-final particle 先 (sin1) (meaning 'first'). This creates the meaning 'Do [Action] in advance first.'

4. Register:
This is a highly colloquial spoken form. In formal writing, you would typically see the adverb 預先 (jyu6 sin1) placed before the verb instead.

Examples (4)

  1. 我買定飛先。

    I'll buy the tickets in advance (first).

    Word by Word: I buy [prep] tickets first.

    Here, 買 (maai5) is the verb. Adding 定 (ding6) shows the tickets are being bought now to be ready for the event later.

  2. 我煮定飯等你。

    I've cooked the meal in advance for you.

    Word by Word: I cook [prep] rice wait you.

    The speaker has finished cooking so that the food is ready the moment the other person arrives.

  3. 你寫定個地址俾我啦。

    Write down the address in advance for me.

    Word by Word: You write [prep] [CL] address give me [particle].

    This asks the person to have the address ready beforehand so it can be used later.

  4. 我哋聽日去旅行，你要執定行李先。

    We are going on a trip tomorrow; you need to pack your luggage in advance.

    Word by Word: We tomorrow go travel, you need pack [prep] luggage first.

    執 (zap1) means to pack/tidy. 執定 (zap1 ding6) emphasizes getting the packing 'settled' before the trip starts.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 預先 (jyu6 sin1) before the verb in everyday speech.

    Different Meaning我預先買飛。
    我買定飛先。

    我預先買飛 is fine and is used in more formal speech and writing. In everyday spoken Cantonese the usual way to say 'in advance' is the suffix 定 (ding6) after the verb, as in 買定飛.

  • Mixing up 定 'in advance' with 定 'or'.

    Different Meaning你想飲茶定咖啡？
    我整定茶等你。

    你想飲茶定咖啡？ is a correct question: here 定 (ding6) means 'or'. The 'in advance' 定 goes right after a verb, as in 整定茶 (made the tea ahead of time). See 定係 (ding6 hai6) for 'or'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

定Level 3Do It in Advance

Learn This First

The pattern '定' (ding6) is a verbal particle used to indicate that an action is performed in advance or beforehand. Learners should already be familiar with the basic placement of verbal particles after the verb and the use of '先' (sin1), as these often appear together in natural speech.