to decide; decision
HSK level
决定 is written with 14 strokes (决: 6, 定: 8). The animation replays automatically.
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: Neutral. Works in both speech and writing. Slightly more weighty than the spoken 定 (dìng) on its own — 决定 implies a real decision, not just a casual pick.
Character by character
Memory hook: 决 ('break through / resolve') + 定 ('set / fix in place') — you cut through the options and lock it in.
决定 appears in 3 Fluentide podcast episodes at natural native speed — each with the full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
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
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.
定 (or 定下来) is a more casual / spoken way to say 'decide / settle on.' 我们定明天 = let's settle on tomorrow. 决定 is more formal and weighty.
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