How common it is
约定 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say yuē dìng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
约定是两个人或更多人一起决定做某件事。
Yuēdìng shì liǎng gè rén huò gèng duō rén yīqǐ juédìng zuò mǒu jiàn shì.
Agreement is when two or more people decide together to do something.
Context note
约定可以是和朋友见面时间，或者一起做作业。
Yuēdìng kěyǐ shì hé péngyǒu jiànmiàn shíjiān, huòzhě yīqǐ zuò zuòyè.
An agreement can be a meeting time with friends, or doing homework together.
5 examples
我们约定明天下午三点见面。
wǒ men yuē dìng míng tiān xià wǔ sān diǎn jiàn miàn。
We agreed to meet tomorrow at 3 PM.
我和朋友约定一起画画。
wǒ hé péng yǒu yuē dìng yì qǐ huà huà。
My friend and I agreed to draw together.
他们约定放学后去踢球。
tā men yuē dìng fàng xué hòu qù tī qiú。
They agreed to play football after school.
我们约定每周六去图书馆。
wǒ men yuē dìng měi zhōu liù qù tú shū guǎn。
We agreed to go to the library every Saturday.
妈妈和我约定每天读一本书。
mā ma hé wǒ yuē dìng měi tiān dú yì běn shū。
Mom and I agreed to read a book every day.
5 mini stories
小明和小红约定一起做手工。他们很开心。
xiǎo míng hé xiǎo hóng yuē dìng yì qǐ zuò shǒu gōng。 tā men hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong agreed to do crafts together. They are very happy.
小刚和小丽约定去公园玩。他们带了零食。
xiǎo gāng hé xiǎo lì yuē dìng qù gōng yuán wán。 tā men dài le líng shí。
Xiao Gang and Xiao Li agreed to go to the park. They brought snacks.
小华和小红约定一起学习。他们互相帮助。
xiǎo huá hé xiǎo hóng yuē dìng yì qǐ xué xí。 tā men hù xiāng bāng zhù。
Xiao Hua and Xiao Hong agreed to study together. They help each other.
小丽和小明约定去看电影。他们买了爆米花。
xiǎo lì hé xiǎo míng yuē dìng qù kàn diàn yǐng。 tā men mǎi le bào mǐ huā。
Xiao Li and Xiao Ming agreed to go see a movie. They bought popcorn.
小刚和小华约定一起骑自行车。他们很开心。
xiǎo gāng hé xiǎo huá yuē dìng yì qǐ qí zì xíng chē。 tā men hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Gang and Xiao Hua agreed to ride bikes together. They are very happy.