定

Phono-semantic compound:

宀 (면) – represents a roof or house, symbolizing a place of stability;

正 (정) – phonetic component, provides the sound “정.”

Originally, the character carried the sense of “making something stable and fixed within a space (house)”, which naturally expanded to “to settle,” “to decide.”

Semantic development:

- being settled — fixed, placed properly

- mental decision — determination

- rule or standard — established norm

- stability — calmness, order (related uses)

定 is a core character in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese for decisions, settings, and establishing rules.

Common compounds:

결정 (決定) — decision; determine

정책 (政策) — policy (established plan)

정액 (定額) — fixed amount

정해지다 (定하다) — to be decided

확정 (確定) — to finalize; confirm

안정 (安定) — stability

설정 (設定) — setting, configuration

Set phrases:

마음이 정해지다 — one’s mind is made up

정해진 규칙 — fixed rules

Unlike 決 (to decide by cutting through), 定 emphasizes settling into correctness rather than forceful resolution.

Related characters (decision & stability):

決 — decide; resolve

確 — confirm; certain

立 — establish

安 — calm; safe

正 — correct

Among these, 定 uniquely unites decision with settled stability.