肯定
kěndìng · HSK 5
affirm
✅ 肯 = willing + 定 = settle; willing to settle on it = affirm
肯 means willing or to consent, and 定 means to fix or settle. Together they mean to settle on something as true — to affirm or approve. Often paired with 是 (kěndìng shì) meaning definitely is.
肯 — flesh 月 (肉) + stop 止 above
Originally written with 肉 (flesh) under a form representing bone or meat clinging to bone, suggesting flesh attached firmly. The meaning extended from 'flesh on bone' to 'to be willing,' as in willingly clinging to or agreeing with something. Modern 肯 keeps the 月 (flesh) component below.
定 — roof 宀 + 正 (correct/upright, phonetic)
Originally written with 宀 (roof) over 正 (upright/correct), suggesting a household settled and orderly under its roof. Over time 正 simplified to 㐬-like form at the bottom, and the meaning shifted from 'settled home' to the broader senses of 'fix, stable, decide.'