决定 (juédìng)

决定 means to decide or make a decision, and can also be used as a noun referring to the decision itself.

Meanings

[verb] to decide, to determine, or to resolve on a course of action
[noun] a decision or resolution that has been made

Example Sentences

我决定明年去中国留学。 Wǒ juédìng míngnián qù Zhōngguó liúxué. I have decided to study in China next year.

这个决定对公司的未来非常重要。 Zhège juédìng duì gōngsī de wèilái fēicháng zhòngyào. This decision is very important for the company's future.

他花了很长时间才做出这个决定。 Tā huā le hěn cháng shíjiān cái zuòchū zhège juédìng. He took a long time to make this decision.

努力工作可以决定你的成功。 Nǔlì gōngzuò kěyǐ juédìng nǐ de chénggōng. Hard work can determine your success.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
做出决定	make a decision
重要决定	important decision
最终决定	final decision
共同决定	decide together

Usage Notes

决定 is one of the most common verbs at B1 level. As a verb, it is followed by the content of the decision (e.g., 决定去 to decide to go). As a noun, it appears in patterns like 做出决定 (make a decision) or 这个决定 (this decision). It can also mean "to determine" in the sense of "success is determined by effort."

Memory Hook

决 means "to determine" (with a sense of cutting off other options) and 定 means "to settle or fix," so 决定 is to cut off alternatives and settle on one choice.