肯定
こうてい · koutei · JLPT N2 · noun
affirmation
✅ 肯 = nod in agreement + 定 = settle: a nod that settles it, so positive
肯 is the nod of agreement (首を肯く) and 定 means to fix or decide. Together they name a firm yes, the opposite of 否定 (negation).
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.'