Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Decide" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "decide", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
きめる
きめる (kimeru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜ことにする
〜ことにする (〜koto ni suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "decide" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between きめる and 〜ことにする.
In Japanese, きめる (きめる (kimeru)) is typically associated with "to decide" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb meaning 'to decide' or 'to fix'. Often used for plans, rules, or choices. The intransitive form is 決まる.
On the other hand, 〜ことにする (〜ことにする (〜koto ni suru)) maps to "to decide to, to make a point of, to choose to" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Expresses a personal decision or resolution made by the speaker. It's about 'making it a rule' or 'deciding' to do something. Contrast with 「〜ことになる」which implies a decision made by others or circumstances.. A literal translation of "decide" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "きめる"
来週の旅行の予定を決めました。
I decided the schedule for next week's trip.
Bilingual Context for "〜ことにする"
明日から毎日運動することにした。
I decided to exercise every day from tomorrow.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "来週の旅行の予定を決めました。" (Meaning: "I decided the schedule for next week's trip.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "きめる" fits here because it means "to decide" in the context of: "I decided the schedule for next week's trip.". "〜ことにする" represents "to decide to, to make a point of, to choose to".