This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb #7,000 most common 7 min read

拟定

niding Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 拟定 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 拟定 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '拟定' (nǐdìng) is quite advanced, but you can understand it as a formal way to say 'to make a plan' (做计划). Imagine you are in a classroom and the teacher says they are making a schedule for the week. They might use a simpler word, but if they want to sound very organized, they use '拟定'. At this stage, just focus on the fact that it involves 'making' (拟) something that is 'fixed' (定) on paper. You might see it in very basic business Chinese dialogues where characters say '拟定计划' (make a plan). Don't worry about using it yourself yet; just recognize it as 'formal planning'. Think of it like the difference between 'thinking of what to do' and 'writing down a list of what to do'. The '拟' part looks like a hand (扌) holding a tool to draw or draft, which can help you remember it involves writing or creating something new.

For A2 learners, '拟定' starts to appear in contexts related to work and study. You should recognize that this word is almost always followed by a noun like '计划' (plan) or '名单' (list). If you are describing your daily routine, you wouldn't use '拟定', but if you are helping your boss organize a meeting, you might say '我来拟定会议程' (I will draw up the meeting agenda). It is a 'step up' in vocabulary that makes you sound more professional. At this level, you should also notice that '拟定' is often used with '已经' (already) to show a draft is ready. It's a key word for moving from 'survival' Chinese to 'functional' Chinese in an office or school environment. You are moving beyond simple desires to structured proposals.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '拟定' correctly in professional or formal writing. You should understand the nuance that '拟定' refers to the *drafting* stage. If you are writing an email to a colleague, you might say '我初步拟定了项目的大纲' (I have preliminarily drafted the project outline). This shows you understand that the document is not final and is open for feedback. You should also be able to distinguish it from '起草' (to draft/write) and '制定' (to enact). '拟定' is more about the conceptual formulation of the plan, whereas '起草' is more about the mechanical act of writing. B1 learners should practice using '拟定' with abstract nouns like '方案' (scheme/proposal) and '准则' (guidelines). This is a 'power word' for your HSK 4 or B1 level exams.

B2 learners should master the collocations and passive structures of '拟定'. You will encounter it in complex sentences like '该政策是由多个部门共同拟定的' (This policy was jointly drafted by multiple departments). You should understand that '拟定' implies a level of deliberation and expertise. It's not just a random draft; it's a 'formulated' plan. At this level, you can use it to discuss social issues, government policies, and business strategies. You should also be comfortable using it with resultative complements like '拟定好' or '拟定出来'. You should also begin to see how it fits into the broader vocabulary of administration, appearing alongside words like '审议' (to deliberate) and '批准' (to approve). In your own writing, using '拟定' instead of '做' or '写' will significantly elevate your formal register.

For C1 learners, '拟定' is a tool for precision. You should use it to differentiate between the various stages of legislative or corporate processes. You might discuss the '拟定过程' (drafting process) and how it involves '反复修改' (repeated revisions). At this level, you should be aware of its use in diplomatic and legal language, where '拟定协议' (drafting an agreement) requires precise wording to avoid ambiguity. You should also be able to use it metaphorically or in more abstract contexts, such as '拟定人生规划' (formulating a life plan), which implies a very serious and structured approach to one's future. C1 learners should also be able to identify the subtle differences between '拟定' and '拟订' (the latter often focusing more on 'concluding' an agreement, though they are frequently interchangeable).

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '拟定'. You understand its historical roots and its place in the 'officialese' of modern Chinese (公文体). You can use it in high-level debates about policy formulation, critique the way a certain '方案' was '拟定', and suggest improvements to the '拟定' methodology. You are sensitive to the word's rhythm in a sentence and can pair it with sophisticated four-character idioms or formal structures. You understand that '拟定' is not just about the document itself, but about the exercise of institutional power and the process of reaching consensus. Whether you are analyzing a government white paper or writing a legal brief, '拟定' is a word you use with total confidence and precision, reflecting the complex interplay between proposal, draft, and final authority.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

拟定 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to draft or draw up a plan, contract, or schedule.
Used primarily in professional, legal, and governmental contexts for preliminary documents.
Differs from 'zhìdìng' (finalizing) by focusing on the preparation and drafting phase.
Commonly pairs with nouns like 'jìhuà' (plan), 'hétóng' (contract), and 'míngdān' (list).

The Chinese verb 拟定 (nǐdìng) is a cornerstone of professional and academic Chinese, essential for anyone moving beyond basic conversational skills. At its core, it means 'to draw up,' 'to draft,' or 'to formulate.' However, its usage is nuanced, specifically referring to the preliminary stage of creating a document, plan, or proposal. Unlike simpler words for 'making a plan' like 打算 (dǎsuàn), 拟定 implies a level of formality and the creation of a tangible draft that will likely undergo review, revision, or final approval by a higher authority or a collective group.

Professional Context: In a corporate setting, managers 拟定 a business strategy or a marketing plan. This suggests the plan is written down and ready for the board to see, but it isn't 'law' yet. It is the bridge between an idea and a finalized policy.
Legal and Administrative Context: Lawyers 拟定 contracts (合同) and government officials 拟定 regulations (条例). Here, the word emphasizes the meticulous nature of the drafting process, ensuring all clauses are included before the final 'enactment' (制定).

我们已经拟定了一份初步的合作协议，请您审阅。
(We have already drafted a preliminary cooperation agreement; please review it.)

The character 拟 (nǐ) means to 'imitate' or 'propose/draft,' while 定 (dìng) means 'to fix' or 'to settle.' Combined, they represent the act of fixing a proposal into a draft format. You will hear this word constantly in news broadcasts regarding international treaties, in university settings regarding course syllabi, and in project management meetings. It is distinct from 制定 (zhìdìng), which refers to the final establishment or enactment of a rule. If you are '拟定'-ing, you are still in the creative and organizational phase.

秘书正在拟定下周会议的议程。
(The secretary is currently drawing up the agenda for next week's meeting.)

When using this word, remember that it almost always takes a direct object that is a plan or document. You wouldn't '拟定' a physical object like a chair; you '拟定' the blueprint for the chair. It is a cognitive and administrative action. To master this word is to master the language of professional preparation in the Chinese-speaking world.

Using 拟定 correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement and the types of nouns it pairs with. It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object. Usually, this object is an abstract plan, a document, or a schedule. The sentence structure is typically: Subject + (Adverb) + 拟定 + Object.

Common Object Pairings

拟定计划 (nǐdìng jìhuà) - To draw up a plan
拟定合同 (nǐdìng hétóng) - To draft a contract
拟定大纲 (nǐdìng dàgāng) - To draft an outline
拟定名单 (nǐdìng míngdān) - To draw up a list (of names)

In formal writing, you will often see it preceded by adverbs like 初步 (chūbù - preliminary) or 重新 (chóngxīn - re-). This adds precision to the stage of the drafting process. For example, '初步拟定' emphasizes that the draft is in its earliest stages.

委员会已经拟定了新的安全准则。
(The committee has already drawn up new safety guidelines.)

Another common pattern involves the use of '了' (le) to indicate the completion of the drafting action. However, note that '拟定好' (nǐdìng hǎo) is a common resultative construction used in spoken or semi-formal contexts to indicate that the draft is finished and ready for the next step.

In passive structures, you might see 由...拟定 (drawn up by...). This is extremely common in legal documents and official reports to attribute the authorship of a draft. For example: '本计划由专家组拟定' (This plan was drawn up by the expert group). This structure highlights the source of the proposal, adding authority to the document in question.

If you are watching CCTV News (新闻联播) or reading the People's Daily, you will encounter 拟定 almost daily. It is the preferred term for describing the work of government bodies. When a new law is being discussed in the National People's Congress, the news will report that they are '拟定草案' (drafting a bill). This context reinforces the word's status as a 'pre-finalization' term.

有关部门正在拟定应对气候变化的长期方案。
(Relevant departments are currently drawing up a long-term plan to address climate change.)

In the workplace, 拟定 is heard during 'kick-off' meetings or planning sessions. A project lead might say, 'We need to 拟定 a timeline by Friday.' This sets a professional tone, implying that the timeline will be a formal document shared with the team. It sounds much more professional than saying 'make a list' (写个列表).

Academic Settings: Professors use this when talking about research proposals (研究计划) or the structure of a thesis. Students are often told to 拟定 an outline before they begin writing the actual paper.

Furthermore, in the world of diplomacy, 拟定 is used for the preparation of joint communiqués or treaties. It suggests a careful, word-by-word construction of a document where every syllable matters. If you hear this in a movie or TV drama, it's likely a political thriller, a legal drama, or a high-stakes corporate story. It signals that the characters are in a phase of strategic preparation.

The most frequent error English speakers make is using 拟定 where 打算 (dǎsuàn) or 准备 (zhǔnbèi) would be more appropriate. 打算 is for general intentions ('I plan to eat'), while 拟定 is for formal drafting ('I am drafting a nutritional plan'). Using 拟定 for small, personal daily tasks can sound overly stiff or even humorous, like using the phrase 'I am formulating a strategy for my grocery shopping' in English.

❌ 我拟定明天去公园。
(Incorrect: I am drafting to go to the park tomorrow.)

Another common confusion is between 拟定 and 制定 (zhìdìng). Remember: 拟定 is the 'drafting' phase (the 'nǐ' means 'propose'), while 制定 is the 'finalizing/enacting' phase (the 'zhì' means 'to make/systematize'). If a law has already been passed and is now in effect, you use 制定. If the law is still being written and debated, you use 拟定.

Lastly, some learners forget that 拟定 is a verb. They might try to use it as a noun (like 'this is my nǐdìng'). In Chinese, the noun form for 'draft' is usually 草案 (cǎo'àn) or 初稿 (chūgǎo). So, you 拟定 a 草案. You don't 'have a 拟定'.

Understanding the synonyms of 拟定 helps you choose the right level of formality and specific meaning. Here are the most common alternatives and how they differ:

起草 (qǐcǎo): Focuses specifically on the act of writing the first version of a text. While 拟定 can include the thinking and planning, 起草 is about putting pen to paper. You '起草' a speech or a letter.
制定 (zhìdìng): As mentioned, this is the 'completion' word. Use it for policies, laws, or rules that are being officially established and implemented. It carries more weight and authority than 拟定.
筹划 (chóuhuà): Focuses on the 'planning and organizing' aspect, often for a large event or a complex project. It implies more logistical thinking and less document drafting than 拟定.

对比：
1. 我们在拟定计划。(Drafting the plan)
2. 我们在制定法律。(Enacting the law)
3. 我们在筹划婚礼。(Organizing the wedding)

Finally, 规划 (guīhuà) is often used for long-term, large-scale planning, such as city planning or a 10-year career path. It suggests a visionary scope. Choosing between these words depends on whether you are writing a document (起草/拟定), making it official (制定), organizing logistics (筹划), or looking at the big picture (规划).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '拟' contains the hand radical (扌), suggesting that drafting was once physically writing or 'hand-fixing' a proposal. In modern times, it's mostly done on keyboards, but the 'hand' remains!

Pronunciation Guide

UK nǐ dìng

US nǐ dìng

Primary stress on the second syllable 'dìng' is common in natural speech.

Rhymes With

比 (bǐ) 理 (lǐ) 洗 (xǐ) 命 (mìng) 病 (bìng) 镜 (jìng) 静 (jìng) 性 (xìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '拟' as 'nǐ' with a second tone.
Pronouncing '定' as 'dīng' (first tone).
Confusing '拟' (nǐ) with '以' (yǐ).
Failing to apply tone sandhi if another third-tone word precedes '拟'.
Over-aspirating the 'd' in 'dìng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and business; requires knowing the characters 拟 and 定.

Writing 4/5

The character '拟' has many strokes and is easy to miswrite.

Speaking 3/5

Useful for sounding professional, but requires correct tone usage.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal contexts due to its distinct rhythm.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

计划定做写名

Learn Next

制定起草审阅批准实施

Advanced

公文草案框架协议备忘录条款

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Construction

Subject + 拟定 + Object (e.g., 我们拟定计划).

Resultative Complement '好'

计划拟定好了 (The plan is finished being drafted).

Passive '由' Structure

方案由专家组拟定 (The scheme was drafted by experts).

Adverbial Modification

初步拟定 (Preliminarily draft), 重新拟定 (Re-draft).

Aspect Marker '正在'

正在拟定 (In the middle of drafting).

Examples by Level

老师在拟定明天的计划。

The teacher is drawing up tomorrow's plan.

Subject + 在 (doing) + 拟定 + Object.

我们要拟定一个名单。

We need to draw up a list.

Use '一个' to specify 'a' list.

他拟定了一个简单的规则。

He drew up a simple rule.

Simple SVO structure.

请拟定你的学习计划。

Please draw up your study plan.

Imperative sentence using '请'.

他们在拟定比赛的日期。

They are drawing up the dates for the competition.

Object is '比赛的日期'.

谁来拟定这个菜单？

Who will draw up this menu?

Interrogative sentence with '谁'.

我要拟定一个购物列表。

I want to draw up a shopping list.

Informal context but using formal word for 'list'.

拟定计划很重要。

Drawing up a plan is very important.

Verb phrase used as a subject.

公司正在拟定新的工作时间。

The company is currently drawing up new working hours.

正在 indicates an ongoing process.

我们已经拟定好了会议议程。

We have already drawn up the meeting agenda.

拟定好 indicates the draft is finished.

经理要求我拟定一份报告。

The manager asked me to draw up a report.

Pivotal sentence with '要求'.

我们需要拟定一个旅游路线。

We need to draw up a travel itinerary.

Complex object '旅游路线'.

她正在拟定婚礼的邀请名单。

She is drawing up the wedding invitation list.

Specific social context.

谁拟定了这些规定？

Who drew up these regulations?

Past action indicated by context.

我帮他拟定了一封信。

I helped him draw up a letter.

Use of '帮' (help).

初步拟定的计划还不完美。

The preliminarily drawn-up plan is not perfect yet.

Adjectival phrase modifying '计划'.

项目组正在拟定初步的实施方案。

The project team is drawing up a preliminary implementation scheme.

Focus on professional terminology like '实施方案'.

双方正在拟定合同的细节。

Both parties are drawing up the details of the contract.

Context of negotiation.

政府拟定了支持小企业的政策。

The government drew up policies to support small businesses.

Policy context.

他负责拟定部门的年度预算。

He is responsible for drawing up the department's annual budget.

Use of '负责' (responsible for).

律师正在拟定一份法律声明。

The lawyer is drawing up a legal statement.

Legal register.

我们需要重新拟定合同条款。

We need to re-draw the contract terms.

Use of '重新' (re-).

委员会拟定了一套新的评估标准。

The committee drew up a new set of evaluation standards.

Measure word '一套' (a set of).

在行动之前，先拟定一个策略。

Before acting, draw up a strategy first.

Conditional '在...之前'.

该草案是由专家小组精心拟定的。

The draft was carefully drawn up by a group of experts.

Passive '由...拟定' structure.

公司正忙于拟定下一季度的营销计划。

The company is busy drawing up the marketing plan for the next quarter.

Use of '忙于' (busy with).

双方就拟定合作框架达成了一致。

Both sides reached an agreement on drawing up the cooperation framework.

Formal phrase '达成一致'.

拟定这个方案需要考虑多方面的因素。

Drawing up this proposal requires considering factors from many aspects.

Verb phrase as subject with complex requirements.

秘书处正在拟定会议纪要。

The secretariat is drawing up the minutes of the meeting.

Specific administrative term '会议纪要'.

我们要根据市场需求拟定产品开发大纲。

We need to draw up a product development outline based on market demand.

Use of '根据' (based on).

虽然计划已经拟定，但仍需上级批准。

Although the plan has been drawn up, it still needs approval from superiors.

Conjunction '虽然...但'.

在拟定合同时，必须确保用词准确。

When drawing up a contract, one must ensure the wording is accurate.

Emphasis on '必须' and '用词准确'.

起草委员会在拟定宪法修正案时非常审慎。

The drafting committee was very cautious when drawing up the constitutional amendment.

High-level political context.

该研究报告拟定了未来十年的城市规划蓝图。

The research report drew up a blueprint for urban planning for the next ten years.

Metaphorical use of '蓝图'.

拟定一项全球性协议是一项艰巨的任务。

Drawing up a global agreement is a daunting task.

Abstract and complex subject.

有关部门正在拟定应对突发公共卫生事件的预案。

Relevant departments are drawing up contingency plans for sudden public health emergencies.

Technical term '预案' (contingency plan).

在拟定遗嘱时，他表现得非常冷静。

He appeared very calm while drawing up his will.

Legal term '遗嘱' (will).

该机构负责拟定行业的技术标准和规范。

The agency is responsible for drawing up technical standards and specifications for the industry.

Institutional responsibility.

拟定一份详尽的风险评估报告是必不可少的。

Drawing up a detailed risk assessment report is indispensable.

Use of '必不可少' (indispensable).

他们正就拟定中的贸易协定进行最后磋商。

They are conducting final consultations on the trade agreement currently being drafted.

Use of '拟定中' (in the process of being drafted).

立法机关在拟定该法案时，充分听取了社会各界的意见。

When drafting the bill, the legislature fully listened to opinions from all sectors of society.

Complex socio-political sentence.

拟定如此庞大的经济改革计划，其复杂程度难以想象。

Drawing up such a massive economic reform plan is unimaginably complex.

Emphasis on scale and complexity.

各方在拟定联合声明的过程中，经历了多次激烈的辩论。

In the process of drawing up the joint statement, the parties underwent many heated debates.

Focus on the '过程' (process).

该文稿由其智囊团拟定，旨在阐述其核心政治理念。

The manuscript was drawn up by his think tank, aimed at articulating his core political philosophy.

Formal term '智囊团' (think tank).

拟定教学大纲时，应注重理论与实践的有机结合。

When drawing up the syllabus, one should emphasize the organic integration of theory and practice.

Academic pedagogical register.

在拟定国际条约的遣词造句上，外交官们可谓字斟句酌。

Diplomats are extremely meticulous in the wording and phrasing used when drawing up international treaties.

Idiom '字斟句酌' (meticulous with words).

拟定一套行之有效的内部控制制度是企业治理的关键。

Drawing up an effective internal control system is key to corporate governance.

Business management terminology.

他正致力于拟定一部旨在保护知识产权的新规章。

He is dedicated to drawing up a new regulation aimed at protecting intellectual property rights.

Use of '致力于' (dedicated to).

Synonyms

起草制定筹划规划编制

Antonyms

废除执行

Common Collocations

拟定计划

拟定合同

拟定名单

拟定方案

拟定大纲

拟定议程

初步拟定

重新拟定

共同拟定

拟定草案

Common Phrases

拟定好了

— Finished drafting. Used to indicate the task of drawing up a plan is complete.

计划已经拟定好了。

负责拟定

— To be in charge of drafting. Common in job descriptions or task assignments.

他负责拟定本周的菜单。

着手拟定

— To start drafting. Emphasizes the beginning of the writing process.

我们明天着手拟定新政策。

拟定中

— In the process of being drafted. Used to describe a current state.

新规则仍在拟定中。

协助拟定

— To assist in drafting. Used when multiple people are involved.

我将协助你拟定这份报告。

拟定程序

— Drafting procedure. Refers to the formal steps taken to create a draft.

我们要遵守拟定程序。

拟定目标

— To set or formulate goals. Used in strategic planning.

公司正在拟定明年的目标。

拟定标准

— To draw up standards. Common in industry or education.

协会正在拟定新的行业标准。

拟定意见

— To draft a set of opinions or suggestions.

各部门提出了拟定意见。

拟定时间表

— To draw up a timetable or schedule.

请尽快拟定时间表。

Often Confused With

拟定 vs 制定

制定 means to finalize/enact; 拟定 means to draft/draw up.

拟定 vs 确定

确定 means to confirm or make sure; 拟定 is about the creative process of drafting.

拟定 vs 决定

决定 is a general 'decide'; 拟定 is a specific 'draft a plan'.

Idioms & Expressions

"草拟章程"

— To draft the rules/constitution of an organization. Very formal.

新成立的协会正在草拟章程。

Formal

"纸上谈兵"

— Literally 'fighting on paper.' Used as a warning when '拟定' stays as just a draft and is never executed.

光拟定计划而不执行，那是纸上谈兵。

Idiomatic

"深思熟虑"

— Deep thought and careful consideration. Often describes the state of mind when someone is '拟定'-ing a serious plan.

这份计划是他深思熟虑后拟定的。

Literary

"胸有成竹"

— To have a well-thought-out plan in one's mind before starting. Perfect for the pre-drafting stage.

在拟定方案之前，他已经胸有成竹了。

Idiomatic

"未雨绸缪"

— To prepare for a rainy day. Often used to explain *why* someone is '拟定'-ing a contingency plan.

拟定应急预案是为了未雨绸缪。

Idiomatic

"有的放矢"

— To have a target in mind. Used when drafting a plan with a very specific goal.

拟定计划要有的放矢，不能盲目。

Idiomatic

"集思广益"

— To pool wisdom. Used when a group '共同拟定' (jointly drafts) something.

我们集思广益，拟定出了这个方案。

Idiomatic

"条分缕析"

— To analyze in detail. Describes a very detailed '拟定' process.

他拟定的报告条分缕析，非常清晰。

Literary

"循序渐进"

— To proceed step by step. A good principle for '拟定' complex projects.

拟定学习计划要循序渐进。

Idiomatic

"锦上添花"

— Adding flowers to brocade. Used when improving a draft that is already good.

你的修改为拟定好的方案锦上添花。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

拟定 vs 拟订

Pronounced the same and looks similar.

拟订 often implies drafting AND agreeing upon/concluding, while 拟定 is just the drafting. They are often interchangeable in modern usage.

拟订条约 (Draft and conclude a treaty).

拟定 vs 起草

Both mean 'draft'.

起草 is more about the physical writing; 拟定 is more about the intellectual formulation.

起草信件 (Write a draft of a letter).

拟定 vs 筹划

Both involve planning.

筹划 is logistical and organizational; 拟定 is about creating a document or proposal.

筹划聚会 (Plan/organize a party).

拟定 vs 打算

Both mean 'plan'.

打算 is informal and internal; 拟定 is formal and external (on paper).

我打算睡觉 (I plan to sleep).

拟定 vs 规划

Both involve structured planning.

规划 is for long-term, large-scale visions; 拟定 is for specific documents or immediate plans.

人生规划 (Life planning).

Sentence Patterns

我要拟定 + [Noun].

我要拟定一个计划。

请拟定一份 + [Noun].

请拟定一份名单。

[Subject] 正在拟定 [Adjective] 的 [Noun].

我们正在拟定初步的方案。

[Subject] 已经拟定好了 [Noun].

他已经拟定好了合同。

[Noun] 是由 [Person/Group] 拟定的。

计划是由委员会拟定的。

在拟定 [Noun] 时，[Sentence].

在拟定合同时，要注意细节。

[Subject] 致力于拟定 [Noun].

政府致力于拟定新法规。

拟定 [Noun] 是一项 [Adjective] 的任务。

拟定宪法修正案是一项艰巨的任务。

Word Family

Nouns

拟稿 (draft manuscript)

草拟人 (drafter)

Verbs

拟 (propose/imitate)

定 (fix/settle)

拟订 (draft and conclude)

模拟 (simulate)

Adjectives

拟定的 (drafted/proposed)

计划

方案

合同

大纲

起草

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional/news contexts; Medium in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 拟定 for casual intentions. → Using 打算 (dǎsuàn).
Don't say '拟定去吃饭'; it sounds like you are drafting a formal document to eat lunch.
Confusing 拟定 with 制定. → Use 拟定 for drafts; 制定 for final rules.
If the law is already active, it was 制定-ed. If it's being written, it's being 拟定-ed.
Using 拟定 as a noun. → Use 草案 (cǎo'àn) or 初稿 (chūgǎo).
拟定 is a verb. You can't say 'This is my 拟定.' Say '这是我拟定的计划.'
Incorrect tone on '定'. → Fourth tone (dìng).
Pronouncing it as dīng (first tone) is a common beginner mistake that changes the meaning.
Using 拟定 for physical objects. → Use 制作 (zhìzuò) or 建造 (jiànzào).
You don't '拟定' a table; you '拟定' the plan for building the table.

Tips

Object Choice

Always follow 拟定 with a noun that represents a document or a structured plan, like 计划, 方案, or 合同.

Sound Professional

Use 拟定 in your business emails to sound more authoritative and organized than using simple verbs like 做 or 写.

Strokes Matter

Practice writing the character 拟 (nǐ) carefully; the right side is the character 以 (yǐ), which you likely already know.

Draft vs. Final

Remember that 拟定 is for the 'drafting' stage. If the rule is already in place, use 制定 (zhìdìng).

Tone Accuracy

Make sure to hit the falling-rising third tone on 拟 and the sharp falling fourth tone on 定 for clarity.

Measure Words

Pair 拟定 with appropriate measure words like 一份 (for documents) or 一个 (for plans).

Respect Hierarchy

Using 拟定 shows you understand that your proposal is subject to review by others, which is valued in Chinese work culture.

Nearly Decided

Think of 'Ni-Ding' as 'Nearly-Decided' to remember it's a draft, not the final version.

News Listening

Watch Chinese news to hear how often they use 拟定 for international agreements and government policies.

Daily Draft

Try '拟定' your daily study schedule in a notebook to get used to using the word in a practical way.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ni' (拟) as 'Nearly' and 'Ding' (定) as 'Decided.' It's 'Nearly Decided' because it's still just a draft!

Visual Association

Visualize a hand (扌) holding a pen, hovering over a document that has the word 'DRAFT' stamped on it in big red letters.

Word Web

计划合同草案方案制定起草修改批准

Challenge

Try to say 'We are drafting a contract' in Chinese using '拟定' three times fast: 我们正在拟定合同，我们正在拟定合同，我们正在拟定合同。

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two classic characters. '拟' (nǐ) historically meant to compare or imitate, but evolved to mean 'to propose' or 'to draft.' '定' (dìng) has roots in 'stability' or 'settling' something into a fixed state.

Original meaning: To settle a proposed draft.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

It is a neutral, professional term. No specific sensitivities.

Similar to 'drawing up' or 'formulating,' but used more frequently in everyday professional Chinese than its English counterparts might be in casual English.

Used in the opening of many official PRC government white papers. Commonly found in the 'Five-Year Plans' (五年计划) documents. Legal textbooks on contract law (合同法).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meetings

拟定议程
拟定合同
拟定方案
拟定时间表

Legal Affairs

拟定条款
拟定遗嘱
拟定声明
拟定草案

Academic Research

拟定大纲
拟定计划
拟定课题
拟定名单

Government Policy

拟定法规
拟定政策
拟定标准
拟定报告

Event Planning

拟定流程
拟定名单
拟定菜单
拟定预算

Conversation Starters

"我们什么时候开始拟定下学期的计划？"

"你觉得这份拟定好的合同还有什么需要修改的地方吗？"

"经理让你拟定的名单准备好了吗？"

"在拟定方案时，你主要考虑哪些因素？"

"谁负责拟定这次活动的预算？"

Journal Prompts

今天我拟定了一个为期一个月的汉语学习计划，目标是掌握100个新词汇。

如果我要拟定一份关于保护环境的倡议书，我会写下以下几点建议...

描述一次你负责拟定重要文件（如合同或大纲）的经历，遇到了哪些困难？

拟定一份你理想中的旅行行程，包括地点、时间和活动安排。

反思一下，为什么在正式行动之前拟定一个计划是非常必要的？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can, but it sounds very formal. If you use it for 'planning to go to the gym,' people might think you are being sarcastic or very serious. Use '打算' for daily life.

They are very close. '起草' emphasizes the act of writing (the 'draft' part), while '拟定' emphasizes the formulation and fixing of the plan on paper. You '起草' a speech but '拟定' a strategy.

No, it is a verb. To say 'a draft' as a noun, use '草案' (cǎo'àn) or '初稿' (chūgǎo).

No, it usually implies it is a draft that needs review. '制定' is used when the plan is finalized and enacted.

You say: '我正在拟定一份合同' (Wǒ zhèngzài nǐdìng yī fèn hétóng).

Yes, '拟定了' means the drafting action has been completed. '拟定好了' is also very common.

No, they sound the same (nǐ), but the characters are different. '拟' has a hand radical and '你' has a person radical.

Yes, '拟定名单' (draw up a list of names) is a very common collocation.

Yes, but mostly in professional settings like offices, schools, or formal meetings.

It is generally considered a B1 level word, as it is essential for professional communication but not common in basic survival Chinese.