Meaning
决 is a versatile character meaning 'to decide' or 'to determine,' often appearing in compound words related to decision-making and resolution. As a bound morpheme, it rarely stands alone in modern Mandarin but forms the basis of many important words like 决定 (to decide) and 决心 (determination).
Usage
In modern Mandarin, 决 is almost always used in compounds rather than alone. It appears in formal and everyday vocabulary related to making choices, resolutions, and final determinations. Common in both spoken and written language when combined with other characters.
Examples
- 01我们必须尽快做出决定。.We must make a decision as soon as possible.
- 02他下定决心要学好中文。.He is determined to learn Chinese well.
Common collocations
- 决不absolutely not, definitely not
- 决赛final (competition)
- 表决to vote, to decide by vote
Origin
The traditional form 決 combines 冫(ice) and 夬 (to break apart), suggesting the breaking of ice or a decisive breakthrough, metaphorically representing making a clear decision or determination.