决定了
juédìng le
In Chinese, 'decided' is expressed as 决定了 (juédìng le).
决定了 is used to indicate that a decision has been made. The base component, 决定 (juédìng), can function as both a verb meaning 'to decide' and a noun meaning 'decision'.
Meaning: determined (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 决定 (juédìng) means 'to decide', adding 了 (le) is necessary to express that the act of deciding is a completed action or that a decision has been made.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the phrase 決定 (jué dìng) is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 了 (le) is added to 决定 (juédìng) to indicate that the decision has been completed or a new state has been reached.
How do you pronounce it?
juédìng le
Did you know?
- The character 决 in 决定了 originally referred to the act of breaking open a dike to let water flow, symbolizing an irreversible change in state.
- In formal Chinese business contexts, instead of just saying a decision was made, one might use 拍板 (pāi bǎn), which literally means 'to strike the wooden board' like a judge or leader.
- In casual speech, if someone is wavering, a person might say 拿不定主意 (ná bù dìng zhǔ yi), which literally means 'cannot hold the main idea', to say they haven't decided.
Examples in context
- 他们决定了远足的日期了。They decided the date for the trip.This sentence shows how to use 决定了 to express deciding a specific date.Tatoeba #4844747 by pig8322, translation #4834977 by Theocracy
- 那么，您决定了吗？Well then, have you decided?This sentence demonstrates asking someone if they have made a decision using 决定了.Tatoeba #1329988 by vicch, translation #7819875 by sharris123
- 汤姆决定了成为纯素食者。Tom has decided to become a vegan.This sentence illustrates using 决定了 to describe a person's decision to adopt a lifestyle.Tatoeba #10342305 by iiujik, translation #9677618 by shekitten
- 我决定去中国旅游I decided to travel to China.
- 他确定要接受这个工作机会He has decided to accept this job opportunity.
- 我们选定了这家餐厅作为晚餐地点We decided on this restaurant as the dinner location.
- 大家晚上一起吃饭吧，我想好了Let's have dinner together tonight. I've decided.
- 她打定主意不再继续这份工作了She has decided not to continue with this job.
- 我下定决心要学好汉语I have decided to master Chinese.
- 李先生决定明天去旅行。Mr. Li decided to go on a trip tomorrow.
- 我和朋友们打定主意晚上去看电影。My friends and I have decided to go watch a movie tonight.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a plan for the weekend.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你决定了吗？Nǐ juédìng le ma?Have you decided?
- 伟 Wei我决定了，去爬山。Wǒ juédìng le, qù páshān.I decided, to go hiking.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太好了，我也喜欢。Tài hǎole, wǒ yě xǐhuān.Great, I like that too.
- 伟 Wei那我们明天见。Nà wǒmen míngtiān jiàn.Then I will see you tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
