dìngjū: 定居 - To Settle Down, To Take Up Residence

• Keywords: 定居, dìngjū, settle down in China, take up permanent residence, immigrate to China, Chinese word for settle, permanent residence, move to a new place permanently, 定居 meaning, relocate to China.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 定居 (dìngjū), which means “to settle down” or “to take up permanent residence”. This guide explores its cultural significance related to stability and family, its practical usage in modern contexts like immigration and life planning, and how it differs from simply “living” (住) somewhere. This page is perfect for anyone considering a long-term move to China or seeking to understand the deep cultural value placed on having a permanent home.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dìngjū
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To settle down and establish a permanent home in a new location.
• In a Nutshell: 定居 (dìngjū) is more than just living somewhere; it's about putting down roots. The term implies a major, conscious decision to make a place your long-term, stable home. It carries a sense of permanence and finality, often connected to major life events like marriage, a stable career, or retirement. It’s the difference between renting an apartment for a year and buying a house with the intention of staying for the foreseeable future.

• 定 (dìng): This character means “to decide,” “to fix,” or “to stabilize.” Think of it as setting something firmly in place, like a decision that is “set in stone.”
• 居 (jū): This character means “to reside,” “to live,” or “a dwelling.” It evokes the image of a person in their home.
• When combined, 定居 (dìngjū) literally means “to fix one's residence.” The characters perfectly capture the idea of making a final decision about where one will live permanently.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 定居 (dìngjū) is deeply valued and tied to the aspirational idiom 安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè), which means “to live and work in peace and contentment.” Establishing a stable home is seen as a fundamental prerequisite for a happy and successful life. Compared to Western cultures, particularly American culture where moving for education or career is common and frequent, 定居 carries a much heavier weight in China. It's not just a logistical move but a significant life milestone that provides security and stability for oneself and one's family. Historically, people were tied to their ancestral lands, and moving to a new place to 定居 was a monumental event. Today, while mobility has increased, the underlying desire for a stable home base remains a powerful cultural driver, often culminating in the purchase of property, which is seen as the ultimate act of settling down.

定居 (dìngjū) is a relatively formal word used when discussing serious, long-term plans.

• Immigration and Relocation: It's the standard term used in official contexts, news reports, and legal discussions about moving to a new city or country permanently. You would use it when talking about applying for a green card or discussing migration trends.
• Major Life Decisions: In personal conversations, it's used when discussing significant life changes, such as deciding where to live after getting married, choosing a city to build a career in, or planning for retirement.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always neutral to positive. It signifies stability, success, and the achievement of a major life goal. It's a word filled with intention and long-term vision.

• Example 1:
  • 很多年前，我的祖父母从中国移民到美国并定居下来。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō nián qián, wǒ de zǔfùmǔ cóng Zhōngguó yímín dào Měiguó bìng dìngjū xiàlái.
  • English: Many years ago, my grandparents immigrated from China to the United States and settled down.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the classic link between `移民 (yímín - to immigrate)` and `定居`. The immigration is the action; settling down is the result.
• Example 2:
  • 他大学毕业后，决定留在上海定居。
  • Pinyin: Tā dàxué bìyè hòu, juédìng liú zài Shànghǎi dìngjū.
  • English: After graduating from university, he decided to stay and settle down in Shanghai.
  • Analysis: This is a very common scenario in modern China. It highlights a conscious, long-term career and life choice, not just a temporary job placement.
• Example 3:
  • 你们结婚后打算在哪里定居？
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen jiéhūn hòu dǎsuàn zài nǎlǐ dìngjū?
  • English: Where do you plan to settle down after you get married?
  • Analysis: This question is about a major joint life decision. Using the simpler word `住 (zhù - to live)` would sound too casual, as if asking about their first apartment rather than their permanent home.
• Example 4:
  • 许多退休老人选择去海南定居，因为那里气候温暖。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō tuìxiū lǎorén xuǎnzé qù Hǎinán dìngjū, yīnwèi nàlǐ qìhòu wēnnuǎn.
  • English: Many retired elderly people choose to go and settle in Hainan because the climate there is warm.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates `定居` in the context of a final life stage. They aren't just vacationing; they are moving to their final home.
• Example 5:
  • 他终于获得了永久居留权，可以合法地在这个国家定居了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhōngyú huòdéle yǒngjiǔ jūliúquán, kěyǐ héfǎ de zài zhège guójiā dìngjū le.
  • English: He finally obtained permanent residency and can legally settle in this country.
  • Analysis: This example shows the legal and official side of `定居`. Permanent residency (`永久居留权`) is the legal key that enables one to `定居`.
• Example 6:
  • 随着城市化进程，越来越多的人离开农村，到城市定居。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe chéngshìhuà jìnchéng, yuèláiyuè duō de rén líkāi nóngcūn, dào chéngshì dìngjū.
  • English: Following the process of urbanization, more and more people are leaving the countryside to settle in the cities.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `定居` to describe a large-scale social and demographic trend. It's formal and appropriate for news or academic contexts.
• Example 7:
  • 我们在这里定居的主要原因是为了孩子们的教育。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zài zhèlǐ dìngjū de zhǔyào yuányīn shì wèile háizimen de jiàoyù.
  • English: The main reason we settled here is for our children's education.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes that `定居` is often a family-oriented decision, driven by long-term goals for the next generation.
• Example 8:
  • 这个古老的部落一千多年前就在这片土地上定居了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège gǔlǎo de bùluò yīqiān duō nián qián jiù zài zhè piàn tǔdì shàng dìngjū le.
  • English: This ancient tribe settled on this land over a thousand years ago.
  • Analysis: Here, `定居` is used in a historical context to describe the establishment of a people in a region.
• Example 9:
  • 虽然国外机会很多，但他还是选择回国定居。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán guówài jīhuì hěn duō, dàn tā háishì xuǎnzé huíguó dìngjū.
  • English: Although there were many opportunities abroad, he still chose to return to his home country to settle down.
  • Analysis: This shows `定居` can also mean returning to one's roots permanently after a period of being away.
• Example 10:
  • 我的梦想是在一个安静的海边小城定居下来，开一家小书店。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de mèngxiǎng shì zài yīgè ānjìng de hǎibiān xiǎo chéng dìngjū xiàlái, kāi yījiā xiǎo shūdiàn.
  • English: My dream is to settle down in a quiet little seaside town and open a small bookstore.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the aspirational, dream-like quality `定居` can have. It represents an ideal, peaceful end-goal for one's life.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 定居 (dìngjū) with 住 (zhù).

• 定居 (dìngjū): To settle permanently. It's a major, long-term decision.
• 住 (zhù): To live, to stay. This is a general-purpose verb for residing somewhere, whether for one night or several years. It doesn't carry the implication of permanence.
• Incorrect Usage: 我上个星期在北京的酒店定居了。 (Wǒ shàng gè xīngqī zài Běijīng de jiǔdiàn dìngjū le.)
  • Why it's wrong: You cannot “settle down” in a hotel for a week. This implies a permanent move.
  • Correct Version: 我上个星期在北京的酒店住了。(Wǒ shàng gè xīngqī zài Běijīng de jiǔdiàn zhù le.) - I stayed in a Beijing hotel last week.
• 定居 (dìngjū) vs. 移民 (yímín):
  • `移民 (yímín)` is the process of moving from one country to another.
  • `定居 (dìngjū)` is the result of that process—establishing your new permanent home. You `移民` to a country in order to `定居` there.

• 住 (zhù) - To live, stay. The general, everyday term for residing somewhere, lacks the permanence of `定居`.
• 居住 (jūzhù) - To reside. More formal than `住`, often used in written or legal contexts (e.g., “residence permit”), but still less permanent than `定居`.
• 安家 (ānjiā) - To set up a home, to settle in. More personal and emotional than `定居`, often emphasizing the family and the feeling of creating a home.
• 落户 (luòhù) - To get one's household registration (`户口 hùkǒu`) in a new place. This is a specific, official action required for Chinese citizens to formally `定居` in a new city and access social services.
• 移民 (yímín) - To immigrate or emigrate. The act of moving between countries for permanent residence.
• 永久居留 (yǒngjiǔ jūliú) - Permanent residency. The official legal status that allows a foreigner to `定居` in a country.
• 安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to live and work in peace and contentment.” This is the ultimate life goal that `定居` helps to achieve.