Translation guide
The English verb "determine" has several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
To discover or establish something exactly, often through investigation or calculation.
determine the cause · determine the location · determine whether...
To track down or ascertain something after investigation. Often used for causes, facts, or locations.
事故の原因を突き止める。
Determine the cause of the accident.
彼らは彼の居場所を突き止めた。
They determined his whereabouts.
To identify or specify something precisely. Common in technical or formal contexts.
問題の箇所を特定する必要がある。
We need to determine the location of the problem.
To become clear or be established (intransitive). Often used when a fact comes to light.
原因が判明した。
The cause was determined.
To clarify or make something clear. Casual and versatile.
真実をはっきりさせよう。
Let's determine the truth.
To make a firm decision about something, often after consideration.
determine to do something · determine a course of action · determine the outcome
To cause or control how something happens; to be the reason for a particular result.
determine the outcome · determine success or failure · determine the future
To influence or control decisively. Often used for factors that determine outcomes.
この一戦が優勝を左右する。
This match will determine the championship.
To firmly decide or be determined to do something, often with a sense of willpower.
be determined to do · determine to succeed · determine that...
Pattern: [decision] と決心する. Expresses a firm personal resolve.
彼は絶対に成功すると決心した。
He determined to succeed no matter what.
To officially decide or fix something, such as rules, boundaries, or parameters.
determine the rules · determine the boundaries · determine the conditions
決める is the everyday word for 'decide'. 決定する is formal and used for official decisions. 決心する emphasizes personal resolve or determination.
何を食べるか決める。
Decide what to eat.
委員会が方針を決定する。
The committee determines the policy.
彼は禁煙を決心した。
He determined to quit smoking.
問題の原因を突き止める必要がある。
We need to determine the cause of the problem.
天候がイベントの成功を左右するだろう。
The weather will determine the success of the event.
彼女は医者になると決心した。
She determined to become a doctor.
The most common word for 'decide'. Used for personal decisions, plans, rules, etc.
方針を決める。
Determine a policy.
日程を決めましょう。
Let's determine the schedule.
Formal 'decide' or 'determine'. Used in official, business, or legal contexts.
裁判所が判決を決定した。
The court determined the verdict.
To make up one's mind, resolve to do something. Emphasizes personal determination.
彼は留学を決心した。
He determined to study abroad.
To make a decision, often a difficult or important one. Literally 'to hand down a decision'.
経営陣が難しい決断を下した。
The management determined a difficult decision.
The weather determines the crop yield.
Also used for 'determine' in the sense of deciding an outcome. Common in sports and contests.
彼のゴールが試合を決めた。
His goal determined the match.
To decisively determine or define. Stronger than 決める.
その事件が彼の人生を決定づけた。
That event determined his life.
Literally 'to hold the fate'. Dramatic expression for determining destiny.
この選択が会社の運命を握っている。
This choice determines the company's fate.
To decide in one's heart. Emphasizes internal determination.
私は留学すると心に決めた。
I determined to study abroad.
To firmly resolve. Formal and strong.
彼は復讐を固く決意した。
He firmly determined to take revenge.
To establish, prescribe, or lay down rules, standards, etc. Formal.
法律が選挙の手続きを定めている。
The law determines the election procedures.
General 'decide', also used for setting rules or conditions.
ルールを決める。
Determine the rules.
To stipulate or prescribe. Very formal, used in legal or official documents.
契約書に条件が規定されている。
The conditions are determined in the contract.
In many cases, 'determine' is better expressed with a more specific Japanese verb like 突き止める (find out), 決める (decide), or 左右する (influence). Using a generic translation like 決定する in every context can sound unnatural.
In many cases, 'determine' is better expressed with a more specific Japanese verb like 突き止める (find out), 決める (decide), or 左右する (influence). Using a generic translation like 決定する in every context can sound unnatural.