Translation and Meaning of: 決定 - kettei

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 決定 (けってい, kettei). It is quite common in everyday life and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to official documents. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, practical usage, and some curiosities that will help you understand and memorize this expression more easily.

決定 is a term that carries significant weight in Japanese communication, as it is directly linked to the idea of making a decision or establishing something definitively. Whether in work, studies, or personal life, knowing how and when to use it can make a difference in your learning. Let's uncover its composition in kanji and examples of how it appears in Japanese culture.

Meaning and usage of 決定

決定 is translated as "decision," "determination," or "resolution." It represents the act of reaching a definitive conclusion about something, whether it's a personal choice, an official outcome, or an established plan. Unlike more informal words like 決める (きめる, kimeru), which also means "to decide," 決定 has a more formal and conclusive tone.

In everyday life, you can find it in contexts such as business meetings, where 決定事項 (けっていじこう, kettei jikou) is said to refer to decided items. It also appears in competitions, such as 勝者決定戦 (しょうしゃけっていせん, shousha ketteisen), which means "contest to determine the winner." The word conveys a sense of finality, something that has been firmly established.

Origin and composition of kanji

The word 決定 is composed of two kanji: 決 (ketsu), which means "decision" or "to resolve," and 定 (tei), which conveys the sense of "to establish" or "to fix." Together, they reinforce the idea of a choice that has been firmly determined. This combination is not random—it follows the common logic in Japanese of uniting characters to create more specific meanings.

It is interesting to note that the kanji 決 also appears in other words related to decisions, such as 解決 (かいけつ, kaiketsu, "solution") and 決意 (けつい, ketsui, "determination"). Meanwhile, 定 is found in terms like 定める (さだめる, sadameru, "establish") and 安定 (あんてい, antei, "stability"). Knowing these radicals can help memorize not only 決定 but also other derived vocabularies.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 決定 is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, think of a meeting where a boss says: "これで決定です" (kore de kettei desu), or "It's decided." This kind of phrase helps visualize the real context of the word. Another tip is to practice with flashcards, including not only the translation but also a brief description of the scenario in which it would be used.

Avoid confusing 決定 with similar terms such as 判断 (はんだん, handan), which refers more to a "judgment" or "evaluation." While 決定 indicates a definitive conclusion, 判断 is related to the process of analyzing before deciding. Paying attention to these nuances will make your Japanese more precise and natural.

Presence in Japanese culture and media

決定 is often used in TV programs, especially in competitions and reality shows. Phrases like 優勝者を決定します！ (ゆうしょうしゃをけっていします！, Yuushousha o kettei shimasu!)—"We will decide the winner!"—are common in these formats. This type of exposure helps reinforce how the word sounds and in what situations it is used.

Additionally, in animes and dramas that involve corporate or sports themes, 決定 often appears at climax moments when a character needs to make a crucial choice. Observing these details not only enriches vocabulary but also offers insights into how the language reflects values such as clarity and resolution in Japan.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 決断 (Ketsudan) - Decision, the act of making a firm decision; it involves a choice between options.
• 判定 (Hantei) - Judging, deciding, evaluation; frequently used in assessment and verification contexts.
• 確定 (Kakutei) - Confirmation, determination; refers to the process of securing a decision or outcome.
• 決心 (Kesshin) - Determination, resoluteness; the firmness of purpose in following a decision.
• 決定する (Kettei suru) - Decide, to make a decision; a verb that indicates the action of making a decision.

決定

Romaji: kettei
Kana: けってい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: decision; determination

Meaning in English: decision;determination

Definition: deciding things.

Example Sentences - (決定) kettei

See below some example sentences:

決定は重要なプロセスです。

Kettei wa juuyou na purosesu desu

Decision making is an important process.

The decision is an important process.

• 決定 - decision
• は - Topic particle
• 重要な - important
• プロセス - process
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は友達に人生の重要な決定を諮る必要がある。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni jinsei no juuyou na ketsudan wo hakaru hitsuyou ga aru

I need to consult my friends about the important decisions of life.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for the friend"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of life"
• 重要な (juuyouna) - Adjective meaning "important"
• 決定 (kettei) - noun that means "decision"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the decision"
• 諮る (shiru) - verb that means "to consult"
• 必要がある (hitsuyou ga aru) - expression that means "to be necessary"

私たちは推測に基づいて決定を下す必要があります。

Watashitachi wa suisoku ni motozuite kettei o kudasai hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to make decisions based on assumptions.

We need to make a decision based on hunch.

• 私たちは - We
• 推測に基づいて - based on assumptions
• 決定を下す - making a decision
• 必要があります - Is required

私たちは今後の方針を決定する必要があります。

Watashitachi wa kongo no houshin wo kettei suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

We need to decide our future direction.

We need to decide on future policies.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 今後の - adjective "future"
• 方針を - noun "policy/guideline" + particle "direct object"
• 決定する - verb "to decide"
• 必要があります - the expression "be necessary"