决定
to decide; decision
juédìng
What does 决定 mean?
决定 (juédìng) is both a verb meaning 'to decide / determine' and a noun meaning 'a decision.' As a verb, it can take another verb as its object directly: 我决定去 (I decided to go) — no 'to' marker needed. It can also take a noun (决定方向 = decide the direction) or a clause (我决定我们明天出发 = I decided we leave tomorrow). As a noun, it pairs with 个 or 项: 一个重要的决定 = an important decision.
There's also a sense of 'to determine / dictate' beyond personal choice: 价格由市场决定 = price is determined by the market. Compared to 决心 (juéxīn, determination / resolve), 决定 is a single choice; 决心 is the resolve to follow through. Compared to 选择 (xuǎnzé, to choose), 决定 emphasizes the moment of making up your mind, while 选择 emphasizes picking among options.
Note:
Character breakdown
to decide; break through; resolve
to set; fix; settle
Memory hook: 决 ('break through / resolve') + 定 ('set / fix in place') — you cut through the options and lock it in.
Measure word for 决定
Example sentences
我决定明天去北京。
Wǒ juédìng míngtiān qù Běijīng.
I've decided to go to Beijing tomorrow.
neutral
这是一个很重要的决定。
Zhè shì yí ge hěn zhòngyào de juédìng.
This is a very important decision.
neutral
你决定了吗？
Nǐ juédìng le ma?
Have you decided?
spoken
我还没决定要不要去。
Wǒ hái méi juédìng yào bú yào qù.
I haven't decided yet whether to go or not.
spoken
这件事由你来决定。
Zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ lái juédìng.
This matter is for you to decide.
neutral
Common phrases with 决定
Hear it in real Fluentide episodes
决定 appears in 13 podcast episodes at natural native speed, with full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Synonyms
决心 means 'determination / resolve' (noun) or 'be determined to' (verb) — it emphasizes ongoing commitment. 决定 is the moment of deciding. 我决定戒烟 = I decided to quit smoking; 我下决心戒烟 = I'm determined to quit.
选择 means 'to choose / pick' from options. 决定 emphasizes the act of making up your mind. You 选择 from a menu; you 决定 whether to order at all.