Japanese with Manga

Settling and deciding with

The kanji 定 means decide or fix. In compounds, it can also describe something stable.

Etymology

This kanji is a phono-semantic compound comprised of 宀 (roof) as the semantic component and 正 (straight/correct) as the phonetic component, giving the on-reading テイ.

Visualize placing things under a roof and arranging them in orderly fashion, settling everything into its proper place. Just as objects set under a roof in proper order stay put, a decision or fixed arrangement remains in place.

Judgments

(Definite conclusion)

断定(だんてい) means stating or judging something as definite.

It combines 断 (decide firmly) with 定 (fix) to show a firmly fixed conclusion.

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Determining the cause of death with 解剖.
名探偵コナン » Volume 16 » Page 25

Inspector Megure suggests the murder suspect committed suicide by drowning himself. The medical examiner disagrees.

監察医(かんさつい):
「ですが死因(しいん)は溺死(できし)ではありません…」
“However, drowning wasn't the cause of death...”
目暮(めぐれ):
「え？」
“What?”
監察医(かんさつい):
「解剖(かいぼう)してみないと断定(だんてい)できませんが…　おそらく毒物(どくぶつ)を飲(の)んだあと池(いけ)に入(はい)ったものと…」
“I can't say for certain without an autopsy... but it's likely he took poison and then entered the pond...”
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Specification

(Specification)

特定(とくてい) means identifying or singling out a particular person or thing.

It combines 特 (particular) with 定 (fix) to show fixing on one specific thing.

Manga panel from 怪盗セイント・テール showing example of Hard to believe with 〜がたい.
怪盗セイント・テール » Volume 1 » Page 74

A student from a lower grade enters the classroom. She stops and stares at Asuka Jr., one of the boys in the class.

涼子(りょうこ):
「ある特定(とくてい)のところに集中(しゅうちゅう)してない？　しかも」
“Isn't she focused on one particular area? And on top of that...”
恭子(きょうこ):
「ものすごく信(しん)じがたいところに……」
“It's in a frightfully hard to believe area...”
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(Limitation)

限定(げんてい) means limiting something to a particular scope, quantity, group, or condition.

It combines 限 (limit) with 定 (fix) to show something fixed within clear bounds.

Manga panel from 俺物語!! showing example of Limited edition with 限定.
俺物語!! » Volume 6 » Page 103

Takeo and Rinko meet up after school and stop somewhere for a drink and to chat. Rinko brings up February 14th, which is right around the corner.

凛子(りんこ):
「もうすぐバレンタインだから限定(げんてい)チョコいっぱい出(で)てるよねー」
“Since it's almost Valentine's, a lot of limited edition chocolates have come out.”
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Seasonal exclusive product with 限定
からかい上手の高木さん » Volume 3 » Page 136

Stability

(Stability)

安定(あんてい) means stability, with little risk of sudden change or disruption.

It combines 安 (peaceful) with 定 (settled, fixed) to show a peacefully settled state.

Manga panel from とんがり帽子のアトリエ showing example of A stable flame with 安定.
とんがり帽子のアトリエ » Volume 2 » Page 50

Coco and her friends are trapped in a maze and trying to find a way past a dragon. Seeing the others working out magic to use, Coco tries her hand at a spell, creating a flame. Agott isn’t impressed, but Tetia feels otherwise.

テティア:
「炎(ほのお)が安定(あんてい)してる！」
“The flame is stable!”
「前(まえ)はすぐ落(お)ちて燃(も)え尽(つ)きちゃってたのにいつの間(ま)に！？」
“It used to go out and burn out right away, so when did this happen!?”
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