Meaning and Usage
The verb '결정하다' means 'to decide' or 'to make a decision.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when someone chooses or concludes something after consideration.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '결정하다' in business meetings, personal plans, or any situation where a choice must be made. It can be used with objects like '사안' (issue), '계획' (plan), or '시간' (time).
Collocations and Patterns
- '결정을 내리다': to make a decision (a very common collocation)
- '결정하다 + (을/를)': to decide something
- '결정되다': passive form meaning 'to be decided'
Register and Politeness
'결정하다' is neutral and can be used in both polite and casual speech by adjusting the verb ending. It is appropriate in formal writing and speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '결정하다' with '정하다,' which also means 'to decide' but is often used for setting rules or standards. '결정하다' implies a final choice after consideration, while '정하다' can be more about establishing or setting something.