1.
indefinite; uncertain; not fixed; irregular
The state of not being determined, fixed, or regular. Used in both everyday and technical contexts including grammar and mathematics.
出発日は不定だ。
The departure date is undecided.
不定期に発行される雑誌だ。
It's a magazine published at irregular intervals.
英語の不定冠詞は a と an の二つがある。
There are two indefinite articles in English: 'a' and 'an'.
Composed of 不 (not, un-) + 定 (fixed, determined). A versatile prefix-like word that appears in many compounds across different fields.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不定期: irregular, at irregular intervals
- 不定冠詞: indefinite article (grammar)
- 不定形: infinitive form (grammar)
- 不定愁訴: vague complaints (medical: nonspecific symptoms)
- 住所不定: of no fixed address
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 未定: undecided, not yet decided — implies a decision will come later
- 不確定: uncertain, undetermined — stronger emphasis on uncertainty
- 一定: fixed, constant — the opposite: regular and unchanging