Definition

1. Verb:
   • To plan, to arrange in advance: To decide or agree on something that will be done in the future.
   • To estimate, to set approximately: To fix a value, quantity, or date based on an approximation or assumption.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chúng tôi đã ước định sẽ gặp nhau vào thứ Bảy. (We planned to meet each other on Saturday.)
  • Số tiền chi tiêu được ước định vào khoảng năm triệu đồng. (The expenditure was estimated at around five million dong.)
  • Họ ước định đầu tháng sau sẽ bắt đầu dự án mới. (They planned to start the new project at the beginning of next month.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or written contexts: "Ước định" is often used in official, academic, or formal writing rather than in casual conversation.
  • Các điều khoản đã được ước định rõ ràng trong hợp đồng. (The terms were clearly stipulated in the contract.)
• Implies a mutual agreement or convention: Often carries the nuance of something being agreed upon or conventionally accepted.
  • Đó là một quy tắc ước định chung của cộng đồng. (That is a commonly agreed-upon rule of the community.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dự định (verb): To intend, to plan. (More common in everyday speech.)
• Ước tính (verb): To estimate, to calculate approximately. (Focuses more on numerical approximation.)
• Quy định (verb): To stipulate, to regulate. (Implies an official rule or regulation.)
• Thỏa thuận (verb/noun): To agree; an agreement. (Focuses on the act of mutual agreement.)

Synonyms

• Lên kế hoạch: To make a plan.
• Sắp xếp: To arrange.
• Tính toán: To calculate, to estimate.

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Ước định thời gian: To set/estimate a time.
  • Chúng ta cần ước định thời gian hoàn thành chính xác hơn. (We need to estimate the completion time more accurately.)
• Ước định số lượng: To estimate a quantity.
  • Rất khó để ước định số lượng người tham dự. (It is very difficult to estimate the number of attendees.)
• Theo ước định: According to the plan/estimate.
  • Theo ước định, chuyến tàu sẽ khởi hành lúc 8 giờ. (According to the plan, the train will depart at 8 o'clock.)

Notes on Meaning

• The word combines "ước" (to pledge, to promise) and "định" (to decide), emphasizing a pre-decided arrangement.
• It can sometimes imply a degree of uncertainty or approximation, especially when referring to estimates, as opposed to a firm, fixed plan.

verb

1. to plan