juédìng: 决定 - To Decide, Decision

• Keywords: jueding, 决定, how to say decide in Chinese, decision in Chinese, jueding meaning, Chinese word for decision, HSK 3 vocabulary, make a decision in Chinese, 决 vs 定
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 决定 (juédìng), which means “to decide” or “a decision”. This fundamental HSK 3 term is crucial for expressing choices in everyday conversation, business, and personal life. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage, helping you understand not just how to say “decide” in Chinese, but how decisions are made and perceived in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): juédìng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To decide or determine something; a decision or resolution.
• In a Nutshell: 决定 (juédìng) is your go-to word for the concept of “deciding” in Chinese. It's a direct and versatile term that covers both the action of making a choice (verb) and the choice itself (noun). Whether you're deciding what to eat for lunch or making a major life choice, `决定` is the word you'll use. It implies a conscious, settled conclusion has been reached.

• 决 (jué): This character means “to decide” or “to determine.” Its original form often related to a breach, like water breaking through a dam. It contains the “ice” radical 冫, suggesting a cool, final, and sharp judgment. It represents the moment of choosing one path and cutting off the others.
• 定 (dìng): This character means “to fix,” “to settle,” or “stable.” The image is of a roof (宀) over a character for “correct” (正), symbolizing something being properly established or set in its place.

When combined, 决定 (juédìng) literally means “to judge and settle” or “to choose and fix.” This powerful combination perfectly conveys the idea of reaching a firm, final, and settled conclusion.

While 决定 (juédìng) is a direct translation of “decision,” the cultural process behind it can differ from the West. In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, there's a strong emphasis on individual autonomy and quick, decisive action. A leader who “makes the tough calls” alone is often admired. In Chinese culture, while individual decisions are common, there is often a greater tendency towards consultation and consensus-building, especially for important matters. This is rooted in collectivist values where group harmony and long-term stability can be prioritized over individual preference.

• Family & Group Harmony: A young person might discuss a career choice extensively with their parents and elders before making a `决定`. The final “decision” is often a reflection of the family's collective wisdom and desires, not just the individual's.
• Business Context: In a company, a manager might spend more time gathering input from their team and superiors before announcing a `决定`. This ensures everyone feels heard and is aligned with the final path, promoting smoother implementation. The act of “deciding” is often less about a single person's authority and more about reaching a shared understanding.

So, while the word `决定` is simple, the path to reaching one can be a more collaborative and considered process than a typical English speaker might assume.

`决定` is an extremely common word used in all registers, from casual chat to formal documents.

It's often followed by a verb phrase indicating what has been decided. `Subject + 决定 + [Verb Phrase]`

• `我决定去上海。` (Wǒ juédìng qù Shànghǎi.) - I've decided to go to Shanghai.
• `我们决定明天开会。` (Wǒmen juédìng míngtiān kāihuì.) - We've decided to have the meeting tomorrow.

It's often used with measure words like `个 (ge)` and verbs like `做 (zuò)` or `下 (xià)`.

• `这是一个重要的决定。` (Zhè shì yí ge zhòngyào de juédìng.) - This is an important decision.
• `你必须自己做决定。` (Nǐ bìxū zìjǐ zuò juédìng.) - You must make the decision yourself. `做决定 (zuò juédìng)` is the most common way to say “to make a decision.”
• `老板下了最后的决定。` (Lǎobǎn xià le zuìhòu de juédìng.) - The boss made the final decision. `下决定 (xià juédìng)` is a bit more formal or emphatic, like “handing down a decision.”

Example 1:

• 我决定辞职。
• Pinyin: Wǒ juédìng cízhí.
• English: I have decided to resign.
• Analysis: A simple and direct use of `决定` as a verb to state a significant life choice.

Example 2:

• 这是一个非常艰难的决定。
• Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge fēicháng jiānnán de juédìng.
• English: This is a very difficult decision.
• Analysis: Here, `决定` is used as a noun, modified by the adjective `艰难 (jiānnán)`, meaning “difficult.”

Example 3:

• 你决定好晚饭吃什么了吗？
• Pinyin: Nǐ juédìng hǎo wǎnfàn chī shénme le ma?
• English: Have you decided what to eat for dinner?
• Analysis: The result complement `好 (hǎo)` is added after the verb `决定` to indicate the action of deciding has been completed successfully. This is a very common pattern.

Example 4:

• 我们尊重你的决定。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen zūnzhòng nǐ de juédìng.
• English: We respect your decision.
• Analysis: A common phrase in both personal and professional settings, using `决定` as a noun.

Example 5:

• 他考虑了很久，才做出这个决定。
• Pinyin: Tā kǎolǜ le hěn jiǔ, cái zuò chū zhège juédìng.
• English: He thought for a long time before making this decision.
• Analysis: Shows the common collocation `做出决定 (zuò chū juédìng)`, which emphasizes the process of arriving at and “producing” a decision.

Example 6:

• 态度决定一切。
• Pinyin: Tàidù juédìng yíqiè.
• English: Attitude determines everything.
• Analysis: A popular motivational phrase showing `决定` used in a more abstract sense of “to determine” or “to shape the outcome of.”

Example 7:

• 这个决定会影响我们公司的未来。
• Pinyin: Zhège juédìng huì yǐngxiǎng wǒmen gōngsī de wèilái.
• English: This decision will affect our company's future.
• Analysis: Using `决定` (noun) as the subject of the sentence, showing its impact.

Example 8:

• 在压力下，他很难做出明智的决定。
• Pinyin: Zài yālì xià, tā hěn nán zuòchū míngzhì de juédìng.
• English: Under pressure, it's hard for him to make a wise decision.
• Analysis: `明智的决定 (míngzhì de juédìng)` means “a wise/sensible decision.” This example highlights the common `做出 + [Adjective] + 的决定` structure.

Example 9:

• 最后的决定权在他手里。
• Pinyin: Zuìhòu de juédìngquán zài tā shǒu lǐ.
• English: The final decision-making power is in his hands.
• Analysis: Introduces the related term `决定权 (juédìngquán)`, which means “the right to decide.”

Example 10:

• 我还没决定下来要不要参加。
• Pinyin: Wǒ hái méi juédìng xiàlái yào bú yào cānjiā.
• English: I still haven't decided whether I want to attend or not.
• Analysis: The potential complement `下来 (xiàlái)` can be added to `决定` to emphasize the idea of “settling” on a decision. It implies a process of thought that has not yet concluded.

• `决定 (juédìng)` vs. `决心 (juéxīn)`: This is a common point of confusion.
  • 决定 (juédìng) is the choice or the act of choosing. It's the “what.”
  • 决心 (juéxīn) is determination, resolve, or willpower. It's the “how strong.” It is a noun.
  • Correct: 我决定减肥。(Wǒ juédìng jiǎnféi.) - I have decided to lose weight. (This is the choice).
  • Correct: 我有决心减肥。(Wǒ yǒu juéxīn jiǎnféi.) - I have the determination to lose weight. (This is the inner strength).
  • Incorrect: 我有决定减肥。 (This is grammatically awkward and unnatural).
• `决定` vs. `选择 (xuǎnzé)`:
  • 选择 (xuǎnzé) means “to choose” or “a choice/option.” It focuses on the act of selecting from a set of possibilities.
  • 决定 (juédìng) focuses on the final resolution and the commitment to a course of action.
  • You might make a `选择` (selection) as part of making a `决定` (decision). For example: “在这么多好的选择中，我很难做决定。” (Among so many good options, it's hard for me to make a decision.)
• Don't forget `做 (zuò)`: While you can use `决定` as a verb directly (“我决定…”), it's extremely common for native speakers to say `做决定 (zuò juédìng)` for “to make a decision.” Forgetting this can sometimes sound a bit stiff or unnatural, though not strictly incorrect.

• 决心 (juéxīn) - Determination, resolve. The internal strength to see a `决定` through.
• 选择 (xuǎnzé) - To choose, a choice/option. The act of selecting from alternatives, which is part of making a `决定`.
• 主意 (zhǔyi) - Idea, plan. A more informal or less concrete thought than a `决定`. You have an `主意` before you make a `决定`.
• 考虑 (kǎolǜ) - To consider, to think over. The mental process that you do before you can `决定`.
• 判断 (pànduàn) - To judge, a judgment. Your assessment of a situation, which informs your `决定`.
• 安排 (ānpái) - To arrange, an arrangement. The planning and logistics that follow after a `决定` has been made.
• 同意 (tóngyì) - To agree. Often necessary to get from others before a group `决定` can be finalized.
• 决定权 (juédìngquán) - The right to decide, decision-making power. Authority.