搞定 (gǎo dìng) is a colloquial, versatile verb meaning 'to settle,' 'to nail down,' or 'to get something done and resolved.' Literally, 搞 (gǎo) means 'to do' or 'to handle,' often with an informal or hands-on connotation, while 定 (dìng) means 'to fix,' 'to decide,' or 'to confirm.' Together, they express the successful completion of a task—especially one that involved effort, negotiation, or problem-solving. It’s widely used in daily spoken Chinese across work, personal, and social contexts.

The word carries a sense of relief or satisfaction upon resolution: once something is 搞定, it’s off your plate and considered firmly settled. It’s neutral-to-positive in tone—not rude, but slightly informal, so avoid it in very formal documents or solemn settings. It can refer to people ('I’ve got him sorted'), plans ('the meeting’s set'), logistics ('tickets are booked'), or even abstract issues ('the misunderstanding is cleared up').