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道Nihongo Path
決

決·decide

On-yomi
ケツ
Kun-yomi
きめるきまる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
決めるきめるto decide (something)
決まるきまるto be decided
解決かいけつsolution, settlement
決心けっしんdetermination, resolve

Example sentences

  1. 昼ご飯は何にするか決めましょう。

    ひるごはんはなににするかきめましょう。

    Let's decide what to have for lunch.

  2. 問題は無事に解決しました。

    もんだいはぶじにかいけつしました。

    The problem was safely resolved.

  3. 出発の日がまだ決まっていません。

    しゅっぱつのひがまだきまっていません。

    The departure date hasn't been decided yet.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 決して means 'never' and must be followed by a negative: 決して忘れません
  • 決める is transitive, 決まる intransitive — 日を決める vs 日が決まる

Memory aid

Picture it

Water (氵) breaking through a notch in the bank — once it gives way the matter is settled.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 決 mean?