Translation guide
The English verb "decide" covers making a choice, reaching a conclusion, or resolving to do something. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 決める (kimeru), but other expressions are used depending on whether the decision is personal, formal, collective, or about future actions.
行くことにした。
I decided to go.
まだ決まっていません。
It hasn't been decided yet.
Expressing that someone chooses one option among alternatives or settles a matter.
The most common and versatile verb for 'decide'. Used for personal decisions, choices, and settling things. Transitive verb.
どの大学に行くか決めた。
I decided which university to go to.
今夜の夕食は何にするか決めよう。
Let's decide what to have for dinner tonight.
Intransitive counterpart of 決める. Means 'to be decided' or 'to be settled'. Used when the decision is made by someone else or by circumstances, or when the outcome is fixed.
会議の日程が決まった。
The meeting date has been decided.
勝負はもう決まっている。
The outcome is already decided.
Formal term for 'decide' or 'determine'. Often used in official, business, or legal contexts. Can be transitive or intransitive.
政府は新しい政策を決定した。
The government decided on a new policy.
優勝者が決定しました。
The winner has been decided.
Means 'choose' or 'select'. Often used when deciding involves picking from options, but not always interchangeable with 'decide'.
メニューから好きなものを選んでください。
Please choose what you like from the menu.
Expressing a firm decision or determination to take a future action.
Pattern meaning 'decide to do ~'. Attach to the dictionary form of a verb. Implies a personal decision or resolution.
毎日運動することにした。
I decided to exercise every day.
来年日本に留学することにしました。
I've decided to study abroad in Japan next year.
Pattern meaning 'it has been decided that ~' or 'it turns out that ~'. Used when the decision is made by others or by circumstances, not by the speaker's will.
来月転勤することになりました。
It has been decided that I will be transferred next month.
Means 'make up one's mind' or 'resolve'. Emphasizes a strong personal determination, often for significant life choices.
彼は留学を決心した。
He resolved to study abroad.
Expressing that someone concludes something after consideration, or makes a judgment.
Means 'judge' or 'decide' based on reasoning or assessment. Often used when weighing evidence or making a call.
状況を判断して行動してください。
Please judge the situation and act accordingly.
彼が正しいと判断した。
I decided that he was right.
Literally 'draw a conclusion'. Used when a decision is reached after discussion or thought.
話し合いの結果、結論を出した。
As a result of the discussion, we reached a conclusion.
Expressing the act of fixing or settling details like schedules or arrangements.
Again, 決める is the default for deciding specifics. Often used with particles like を or に.
旅行の日程を決めましょう。
Let's decide the travel itinerary.
Means 'set' or 'establish', often used for technical settings, rules, or parameters. Not for personal choices.
パスワードを設定してください。
Please set a password.
決める is transitive (someone decides something), while 決まる is intransitive (something is decided). Use 決める when you are the decision-maker, and 決まる when the decision is made by others or by circumstances.
私が日時を決めます。
I will decide the date and time.
日時が決まりました。
The date and time has been decided.
決定する is formal and can sound stiff in casual conversation. For everyday decisions, use 決める or 〜ことにする.