“To decide” in Japanese is 決める (きめる), pronounced kimeru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To decide. In restaurants, 決まりましたか means “have you decided?”.
Example sentences
- もう決めましたか。もうきめましたか。Have you decided yet?
- 日本に行くことに決めました。にほんにいくことにきめました。I’ve decided to go to Japan.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 決める. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 決める きめる | decide |
| Polite present | 決めます きめます | decide |
| Polite negative | 決めません きめません | don’t decide |
| Polite past | 決めました きめました | past of “decide” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 決めない きめない | don’t decide (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 決めた きめた | past of “decide” (casual) |
| て-form | 決めて きめて | decide and… / please decide (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 決めたい きめたい | want to decide |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to decide in Japanese?
To decide in Japanese is 決める (きめる), pronounced “kimeru”.
How do you write to decide in Japanese?
It's written 決める with kanji, or きめる in hiragana. Both are read kimeru.
Is 決める on the JLPT?
Yes. 決める (kimeru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.