Meaning and Usage
The verb 定める (さだめる) means "to decide" or "to determine" something formally or officially. It is often used in contexts involving rules, laws, schedules, or important decisions made by authorities or groups.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 定める in legal, organizational, or formal settings where something is established or fixed clearly and authoritatively. For example, companies 定める rules, governments 定める laws, and committees 定める schedules.
Collocations and Patterns
- 規則を定める: to establish rules
- 法律を定める: to enact laws
- 日程を定める: to set a schedule
These collocations emphasize formal decision-making or setting standards.
Register and Nuance
定める is a formal verb and not commonly used in casual conversation. It implies a deliberate and official decision rather than a casual or spontaneous choice.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 定める with 決める (きめる), which also means "to decide." However, 決める is more general and used in everyday decisions, while 定める carries a nuance of formal or official determination. Use 定める when referring to rules, laws, or formal arrangements.