定金

dìngjīn

noun HSK 7 #14,313

Measure Word

一笔定金 bǐ

Meanings

1 deposit (paid to secure a purchase or agreement)
2 earnest money

Characters

to fix; to settle; to decide

Money that fixes/secures a deal.

Examples

我已经付了定金。

Wǒ yǐjīng fù le dìngjīn.

I've already paid the deposit.

定金不能退。

Dìngjīn bù néng tuì.

The deposit is non-refundable.

Tips

mistakes

Don't confuse 定金 (dìngjīn, legally binding deposit, usually non-refundable) with 订金 (dìngjīn, a booking fee, often refundable). Same pronunciation, different legal implications.

Stroke Order

定 dìng

金 jīn