決意|けついketsui[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdecision; determination; resolution
    彼女かのじょは私に自分じぶんの決意けついを知しらせてくれた。↗
    She informed me of her decision.
Conjugation
Dictionary form決意する(けついする)
Polite (masu)決意します(けついします)
Negative (nai)決意しない(けついしない)
polite (masen)決意しません(けついしません)
classical zu / nu決意せず・決意せぬ(けついせず・けついせぬ)
Past (ta)決意した(けついした)
polite (mashita)決意しました(けついしました)
Past negative (nakatta)決意しなかった(けついしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)決意しませんでした(けついしませんでした)
Te form決意して(けついして)
Potential決意できる(けついできる)
Passive決意される(けついされる)
Causative決意させる(けついさせる)
Causative passive決意させられる(けついさせられる)
Conditional (ba)決意すれば(けついすれば)
tara決意したら(けついしたら)
Volitional決意しよう(けついしよう)
polite (mashou)決意しましょう(けついしましょう)
Imperative決意しろ(けついしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym決心けっしんNeutralNeutral noun for making up one's mind, common in daily use; 「決意」 is more solemn and often used to declare firm resolve.
  • Synonym決断けつだんWrittenWritten-style noun for a decisive, resolute choice made without hesitation, as in 「決断を迫られる」.
  • Synonym思い立つおもいたつNeutralNeutral verb for suddenly getting the idea to do something, as in 「思い立ったが吉日」; stresses the moment the intention arises.
  • Synonym決するけっするWrittenVerb meaning to decide or settle, as in 「勝敗を決する」; leans toward formal prose, though set phrases like this can also be heard in conversation.
  • Synonym決めるきめるNeutralNeutral, all-purpose verb for deciding; the most common everyday word and the broadest in range.
  • Synonym思い定めるおもいさだめるWrittenWritten verb for settling firmly on a decision; fairly rare, and everyday speech says 「決心する」 instead.
  • Related誓いちかいWrittenWritten noun for a vow or oath; stresses a promise made to others rather than inner resolve.
  • Antonym躊躇ちゅうちょWrittenWritten noun for hesitation or indecision; the direct opposite of resolute 「決意」.
  • Antonym迷いまよいNeutralNeutral noun for wavering or doubt; stands opposite to firm, settled 「決意」.

Use 「決意」 for a firm, serious resolve, as in 「決意を固める」; it is often the word chosen when stating that resolve. 「決心」 is the everyday word for making up one's mind; 「決断」 stresses decisive choice; 「思い立つ」 a sudden impulse; 「決める」 the all-purpose everyday verb. For hesitation, use 「躊躇」 or 「迷い」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. とるべき行動こうどうや態度たいどをはっきりさせて実行じっこうしようと決きめること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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