Meanings of 定金
By ear
Play it, then pick what 定金 means.
About 定金
Podcast: 定金
Podcast: 定金
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 定金
定金 (dìngjīn) vs 订金 (dìngjīn) — use 定金 for down payments that secure a transaction, while 订金 refers to deposits made for reservations or orders.
Be careful not to confuse 定金 with 订金 (ding4 jin1), which can also mean 'deposit' but has slightly different implications. This term is more formal and typically used in contractual contexts. Remember to use the fourth tone for 定 (ding4) to convey the correct meaning.
While 定金 is not an HSK word, it relates to HSK 4 vocabulary concerning finance and agreements. Learners should focus on understanding financial transactions and related terms to better navigate discussions about payments.
Learners often confuse 定金 with the general term for 'payment' (付款, fu4 kuan3). For instance, saying '我给你定金' (Wǒ gěi nǐ dìngjīn) is correct, while '我给你付款' can be misleading without context, as it implies a direct payment rather than a down payment.
Pronunciation of 定金
Drill the tone of 定金 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 定金 to You
Let me explain 定金 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 定金 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 定金?
Learning Lab
Knowing 定金 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say down payment in Chinese
“down payment” in Chinese is定金
定金 refers to a down payment or advance payment made as a guarantee for a transaction. It is commonly used in contexts such as real estate purchases or large contracts, where the buyer pays a portion of the total price to secure the deal before final payment.
When to use 定金
Be careful not to confuse 定金 with 订金 (ding4 jin1), which can also mean 'deposit' but has slightly different implications. This term is more formal and typically used in contractual contexts. Remember to use the fourth tone for 定 (ding4) to convey the correct meaning.
定金 or something close to it
定金 (dìngjīn) vs 订金 (dìngjīn) — use 定金 for down payments that secure a transaction, while 订金 refers to deposits made for reservations or orders.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 定金 with the general term for 'payment' (付款, fu4 kuan3). For instance, saying '我给你定金' (Wǒ gěi nǐ dìngjīn) is correct, while '我给你付款' can be misleading without context, as it implies a direct payment rather than a down payment.
Write 定金
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 定金 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 定金?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 定金
定金 typically refers to a more formal down payment, while 订金 may refer to a deposit in less formal situations.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 定金?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.