Keywords: dingqi meaning, 定期, Chinese word for regular, scheduled in Chinese, fixed period, regular check-up Chinese, 定期存款, fixed-term deposit, recurring, periodical, HSK 4 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 定期 (dìngqī), which means “at a fixed period,” “regular,” or “scheduled.” This term is crucial for understanding common situations in China related to banking (like a 定期存款 or fixed-term deposit), health (a 定期检查 or regular check-up), and business (a 定期会议 or regular meeting). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with clear examples.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): dìngqī
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: Pertaining to a fixed period of time or occurring at regular, set intervals.
In a Nutshell:定期 (dìngqī) is all about predictability and schedules. It describes actions or events that happen on a recurring, non-random basis (e.g., weekly, monthly, annually) or for a pre-determined duration. Think of it as the opposite of “spontaneous” or “flexible.” If something is 定期, it's locked into a timetable.
Character Breakdown
定 (dìng): To set, to fix, to decide, stable. Imagine putting a roof (宀) over something to fix it in its proper (正) place. It implies stability and a lack of change.
期 (qī): A period of time, a phase, a date. The character contains the component for “moon” (月), which is one of humanity's oldest tools for measuring periods of time (e.g., a month).
Together, 定 (dìng) and 期 (qī) literally mean “a fixed period of time.” This combination perfectly captures the concept of a recurring schedule or a set duration.
Cultural Context and Significance
While not a deep philosophical term, 定期 is deeply embedded in the practical fabric of modern Chinese life, reflecting a cultural emphasis on planning, stability, and prudence.
Financial Prudence: The most common use, 定期存款 (dìngqī cúnkuǎn) or “fixed-term deposit,” is a cornerstone of personal finance in China. This practice, where money is locked away for a set period for a higher interest rate, highlights a strong cultural value of saving for the future and financial security. It contrasts with a more Western emphasis on stock market investment or flexible savings, showing a preference for guaranteed, stable returns.
Emphasis on Routine and Order: In business, education, and even health, the use of 定期 underscores a societal value for order and routine. 定期会议 (dìngqī huìyì) ensure communication flows predictably, 定期考试 (dìngqī kǎoshì) create a structured learning rhythm, and 定期体检 (dìngqī tǐjiǎn) promote preventative healthcare. This structured approach is seen as a reliable path to achieving long-term goals.
Practical Usage in Modern China
定期 is used in slightly more formal contexts. You wouldn't typically use it to say you “regularly” watch a TV show (you'd use `常常 chángcháng`), but you would use it for official or important scheduled activities.
In Finance and Banking
This is the most common context. A 定期存款 (dìngqī cúnkuǎn) is a fixed-term deposit account. The opposite is a 活期存款 (huóqī cúnkuǎn), a current or savings account with a flexible term.
In Health and Maintenance
It's used for any kind of recurring check-up or maintenance.
定期体检 (dìngqī tǐjiǎn): a regular physical check-up.
定期保养 (dìngqī bǎoyǎng): regular maintenance (for a car, machine, etc.).
In Business and Work
It describes recurring reports, meetings, and evaluations.
定期会议 (dìngqī huìyì): a regular meeting (e.g., a weekly team meeting).
定期报告 (dìngqī bàogào): a periodic report (e.g., a quarterly sales report).
In Publications
It's used to describe magazines or journals.
定期刊物 (dìngqī kānwù): a periodical publication.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我把一部分钱存了定期。
Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ yībùfèn qián cúnle dìngqī.
English: I deposited a portion of my money into a fixed-term account.
Analysis: This is an extremely common, everyday sentence related to personal banking in China. Here, 定期 functions as a noun, short for `定期存款`.
English: To keep the apartment clean, the landlord will send someone to clean it regularly.
Analysis: While cleaning can be informal, using 定期 here implies a formal arrangement, like a scheduled weekly or bi-weekly cleaning service.
Example 8:
定期存款的利率通常比活期存款高。
Pinyin: Dìngqī cúnkuǎn de lìlǜ tōngcháng bǐ huóqī cúnkuǎn gāo.
English: The interest rate for a fixed-term deposit is usually higher than that of a current deposit.
Analysis: This sentence directly compares the two main types of bank accounts in China, highlighting the financial trade-off between flexibility and returns.
Example 9:
学校会定期组织消防演习。
Pinyin: Xuéxiào huì dìngqī zǔzhī xiāofáng yǎnxí.
English: The school will regularly organize fire drills.
Analysis: This demonstrates its use in official or institutional contexts. The fire drills happen at set intervals (e.g., once a semester).
English: If you don't water the plants regularly, they will die soon.
Analysis: A more informal example, but 定期 still implies a consistent schedule (e.g., every two days) is needed, rather than just “often.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`定期 (dìngqī)` vs. `按时 (ànshí)`: This is the most critical distinction.
定期 (dìngqī) focuses on the regular interval or fixed period. It answers the question “How often does it happen on a schedule?” (e.g., monthly, yearly).
按时 (ànshí) means on time. It focuses on punctuality for a single, specific event. It answers the question “Did you arrive at the scheduled time?”
Correct: 我们定期（每个月）开会，请你明天按时（早上9点）参加。 (Wǒmen dìngqī kāihuì, qǐng nǐ míngtiān ànshí cānjiā.) → We meet regularly (every month), please attend on time (at 9 AM) tomorrow.
Why it's wrong: The sentence is about being punctual for one specific meeting time (9 o'clock), not about attending on a recurring schedule. It should be 按时来 (ànshí lái).
Formality vs. Frequency:
Don't use 定期 for casual, high-frequency actions. Use 常常 (chángcháng) (often) or 总是 (zǒngshì) (always) instead.
Correct: 我常常去那家咖啡馆。(Wǒ chángcháng qù nà jiā kāfēi guǎn.) - I often go to that coffee shop.
Incorrect: 我定期去那家咖啡馆。(Wǒ dìngqī qù nà jiā kāfēi guǎn.) - This sounds strange, as if you have a formal, scheduled appointment to go there every Tuesday at 2 PM.
Related Terms and Concepts
按时 (ànshí) - On time, punctually. Contrasts with `定期` by focusing on punctuality for one event, not the regularity of multiple events.
活期 (huóqī) - Current (term); flexible. The direct antonym in a banking context (`活期存款` vs. `定期存款`).
固定 (gùdìng) - Fixed, set. A close synonym, but often used for things that are physically fixed or unchanging, like a `固定` salary (`固定工资`) or a `固定` location (`固定地点`).
不定期 (bù dìngqī) - Irregularly, from time to time. The direct antonym, meaning something happens without a fixed schedule.
准时 (zhǔnshí) - Punctual, on time. A synonym for `按时`.
常常 (chángcháng) - Often, frequently. A less formal adverb that indicates high frequency but not a fixed schedule.
期间 (qījiān) - Period, duration. A related noun that refers to a span of time (e.g., `在春节期间` - during the Spring Festival period).
限期 (xiànqī) - Deadline, time limit. Also uses `期`, but refers to the final point in time by which something must be done.