Translation and Meaning of: 決める - kimeru

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 決める (kimeru) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: kimeru

Kana: きめる

Type: verb

L: jlpt-n4

決める

Translation / Meaning: decide

Meaning in English: to decide

Definition: make decisions and draw conclusions about things.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (決める) kimeru

The Japanese word 「決める」 (kimeru) is a verb frequently used in the Japanese language and has the main meaning of "to decide" or "to determine." Its usage is common in contexts where someone needs to make a decision or choose between different options. This term expresses the idea of finalizing a choice, meaning that the person has reached a conclusion after considering their alternatives.

The etymology of 「決める」 traces back to the kanji 「決」 (ketsu), which means "to decide" or "to resolve," along with the verbal suffix 「める」 (meru), which transforms the noun into a transitive verb. 「決」 is an ideogram composed of the radical 水 (water) and 夬 (decision), suggesting the idea of 'decision flowing' from a person, like the resolution of a subject or issue. This verb belongs to the group of second conjugation verbs, known as godan, present in the Japanese language.

In everyday life, the verb 「決める」 involves more than just simple decisions. It can be used in situations ranging from choosing the menu in a restaurant to important business decisions. The use of the verb in different contexts highlights an individual's ability to take responsibility and make decisions. Its variations, such as 「決まる」 (kimaru), which is its intransitive form, show the flexibility of the Japanese language in conveying subtle nuances of action and consequence.

In addition to its functional use in spoken language, 「決める」 also carries a cultural weight. In Japan, the ability to make decisions quickly and with confidence is admired, and the term is often associated with competence and responsibility. Decisions in personal or professional contexts are seen as a reflection of personal competence, which makes 「決める」 a valued and respected verb in Japanese society. Thus, learning to use 「決める」 appropriately not only enhances language proficiency but also offers a glimpse into the cultural norms that shape effective communication in Japan.

Verbal conjugation of 決める

See below a small list of verb conjugations: 決める (kimeru)

決める - Basic shape
決められる - Passive form
決めた - Past form
決めて - Shape yourself
決めよう - Volitive form
決めすぎる - Potential form
決めている - Continuous form
決めない - Negative form

Synonyms and similar words

決定する (kettei suru) - decide, come to a conclusion.
決断する (ketsudan suru) - make a decision, especially in difficult situations.
決心する (kesshin suru) - decide firmly, have the determination.
決め付ける (kimetsukeru) - import a decision or idea, make assumptions.
決め込む (kimekomu) - decide in advance, establish a decision without considering alternatives.
決め打つ (kime u) - decide quickly or make a clear choice.
決める (kimeru) - decide, choose, establish.
定める (sadameru) - determine, establish, regulate (in formal contexts).
判定する (hantei suru) - to judge, to make a judgment based on specific criteria.
判断する (handan suru) - make an assessment or judgment, decide on something based on available information.
規定する (kitei suru) - specify, regulate, establish norms or rules.
設定する (settei suru) - configure, establish conditions or parameters.
定義する (teigi suru) - define, explain the meaning of something precisely.

SEARCH FOR MORE WORDS WITH THE SAME MEANING

Words related

セット

seto

to define

諦める

akirameru

to give up; to abandon

割る

waru

divide; cut; to break; half; separate; divide; to tear apart; to crack; smash; dilute

優勝

yuushou

general victory; championship

分量

bunryou

value; quantity

日取り

hidori

fixed date; named day

引き取る

hikitoru

take over control; take charge; retire to a private place

話

hanashi

conversation; speech; chat; history; conversation

取る

toru

take; take; pick; win; choose

所

tokoro

place

Words with the same pronunciation: きめる kimeru

How to Write in Japanese - (決める) kimeru

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (決める) kimeru:

Example Sentences - (決める) kimeru

Below are some example sentences:

咄嗟に決める

Totsuzen ni kimeru

Decide suddenly.

Decide immediately

咄嗟に (totsuzen ni) - suddenly, immediately
決める (kimeru) - decide, determine

学歴は人生を決めるわけではない。

Gakureki wa jinsei o kimeru wake de wa nai

Academics do not determine life.

Educational formation does not determine life.

学歴 - means "school report" or "academic formation".
は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "学歴".
人生 - means "human life".
を - object particle that indicates that "人生" is the direct object of the sentence.
決める - verb that means "to decide" or "to determine".
わけ - noun that means "reason" or "motive".
ではない - negative expression that means "it isn't."

人生を導く道は自分で決めるものだ。

Jinsei wo michibiku michi wa jibun de kimeru mono da

The way to lead life is to decide on your own.

人生 - Life
を - object particle
導く - Guide
道 - Path
は - Topic particle
自分 - Yourself
で - Location particle
決める - Decide
もの - Thing
だ - Termination particle

勝敗は時に運命を決める。

Shōhai wa toki ni unmei o kimeru

Victory is sometimes destination.

勝敗 - victory or defeat
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
時に - sometimes
運命 - destiny
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
決める - decide

政策は国の未来を決める重要な要素です。

Seisaku wa kuni no mirai o kimeru juuyou na youso desu

Politics is an important element that decides the country's future.

Politics is an important factor in determining the country's future.

政策 (seisaku) - Politics
は (wa) - Topic particle
国 (kuni) - Country
の (no) - Possessive particle
未来 (mirai) - Futuro
を (wo) - Direct Object Particle
決める (kimeru) - Decide
重要な (juuyou na) - Importante
要素 (yousou) - Element
です (desu) - Polite way of being

私たちは明日の計画を決める必要があります。

Watashitachi wa ashita no keikaku o kimeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to decide the plan for tomorrow.

We need to decide tomorrow's plan.

私たち - us in Japanese
明日 - "tomorrow" in Japanese
の - possession particle in Japanese
計画 - "plan" in Japanese
を - object particle in Japanese
決める - "decidir" in Japanese
必要 - necessary in Japanese
が - subject particle in Japanese
あります - "exists" in Japanese

私は彼女に尽くすことを決めました。

Watashi wa kanojo ni tsukusu koto o kimemashita

I decided to dedicate myself to her.

I decided to do my best.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I"
は (wa) - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case "eu"
彼女 (kanojo) - "Girlfriend"
に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for my girlfriend"
尽くす (tsukusu) - Verb that means "dedicate oneself," "serve," or "treat with affection"
こと (koto) - noun meaning "thing", used to turn the verb into a noun
を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the action, in this case "the dedication"
決めました (kimemashita) - The verb "decidir" in the past tense indicating that the action has already been done is "decided".

多数決で決めましょう。

Tasūketsu de kimemashou

We will decide by majority vote.

多数決 - which means "majority decision" in Japanese, is a decision-making method in which the option chosen is the one that receives the most votes.
で - is a Japanese particle that indicates the means or method used to do something.
決めましょう - is a Japanese expression meaning "let's decide". It's made up of the verb 決める (decide) and the suggestion particle ましょう (let's).

彼は引退することを決めました。

Kare wa intai suru koto o kimemashita

He decided to retire.

彼 (kare) - He
は (wa) - Topic particle
引退する (intai suru) - To retire
こと (koto) - Abstract noun
を (wo) - Direct Object Particle
決めました (kimemashita) - Decided

私は新しいレシピを試みることに決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii reshipi o kokoromiru koto ni kimemashita

I decided to try a new recipe.

私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "I"
は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
新しい (atarashii) - Japanese adjective that means "new"
レシピ (reshipi) - Japanese noun that means "recipe".
を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case "recipe"
試みる (kokoromiru) - Japanese verb that means "to try"
ことに (koto ni) - expression that indicates the intention or decision to do something
決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb meaning "decide" in the past tense