verb / noun HSK 3
Traditional 決定
to decide · to make up one's mind · decision
Meaning
决定 means to make a decision or the decision itself. It's used when someone reaches a conclusion about what to do or what course of action to take. The word can function both as a verb (to decide) and as a noun (a decision).
Usage
Very common in both spoken and written Chinese. As a verb, it often appears in structures like '决定做...' (decide to do...) or '决定了' (have decided). As a noun, it commonly appears with measure word '个' as in '一个决定' (a decision). Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01我决定明天去北京。.I've decided to go to Beijing tomorrow.
- 02这是一个很难的决定。.This is a very difficult decision.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个决定
Common collocations
- 做决定to make a decision
- 决定做某事to decide to do something
- 最终决定final decision
- 重大决定major decision
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to finality and certainty. 决 originally meant 'to break through' or 'breach a dam,' implying a definitive action. 定 means 'stable' or 'fixed.' Together they convey reaching a fixed, final conclusion.