‘订购’ (dìnggòu) is a compound verb meaning ‘to order (in advance)’, typically for goods or services that will be delivered or provided later. The first character, 订 (dìng), means ‘to arrange’, ‘to fix’, or ‘to subscribe’, emphasizing the act of confirming or reserving something. The second character, 购 (gòu), means ‘to purchase’ or ‘to buy’. Together, they convey the idea of placing a formal or pre-arranged purchase — not just browsing or buying on the spot, but committing to acquire something ahead of time, often with payment or confirmation.

This word is commonly used in contexts like online shopping, magazine subscriptions, restaurant reservations for takeout, or bulk purchases from suppliers. It carries a slightly more formal or intentional tone than simple 购买 (gòumǎi, ‘to buy’) and implies planning and commitment. You’ll see it on e-commerce sites (e.g., ‘立即订购’ — ‘Order now’), in business emails, or when arranging recurring deliveries like milk or newspapers.