tomar decisiones

The phrase tomar decisiones is a fundamental verbal collocation in Spanish that translates to "to make decisions" or "to take decisions." In the Spanish-speaking world, decision-making is viewed as an active process of 'taking' or 'seizing' a path, which is why the verb tomar (to take) is used instead of hacer (to make). This is one of the most common pitfalls for English speakers, who often try to say "hacer decisiones," a literal translation that sounds unnatural to native ears. Understanding this phrase is crucial for reaching the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), as it allows learners to describe their agency, professional responsibilities, and personal growth.

The Core Concept

At its heart, tomar decisiones refers to the cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among several alternatives. It implies a sense of responsibility and consequence. Whether you are choosing what to eat for lunch or deciding which career path to follow, you are engaging in the act of tomar decisiones. The plural form 'decisiones' is frequently used to discuss the general ability or the ongoing process, whereas 'tomar una decisión' refers to a specific single event.

In professional contexts, this phrase is ubiquitous. It appears in job descriptions, performance reviews, and leadership seminars. A leader is often defined as someone who is "capaz de tomar decisiones bajo presión" (capable of making decisions under pressure). In personal life, the phrase is used to discuss milestones. Choosing a partner, buying a house, or moving to a new country all involve the weight of tomar decisiones. The psychological weight of the phrase often depends on the adjectives that accompany it, such as 'difíciles', 'cruciales', or 'acertadas'.

Daily Life Usage

In everyday conversation, you might hear a friend say, "No sé qué hacer, me cuesta mucho tomar decisiones." This highlights a common human struggle: indecisiveness. The phrase is also used in parenting, where parents teach their children how to evaluate risks and benefits before choosing. It is not just about the final choice, but the entire deliberative process leading up to it.

Culturally, the approach to tomar decisiones can vary. In some Spanish-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on consensus and family consultation (decisiones consensuadas), whereas in others, individual autonomy is prioritized. Regardless of the cultural nuances, the linguistic structure remains the same. The phrase is also a staple in academic writing, particularly in fields like psychology, economics, and management, where the "Teoría de la Toma de Decisiones" (Decision Making Theory) is a major area of study.

Register and Nuance

The phrase is neutral-to-formal. In very informal settings, people might simply say "decidir," but when discussing life choices or work tasks, tomar decisiones is the standard. It conveys a sense of maturity. For example, a teenager might be told, "Ya eres mayor para tomar tus propias decisiones," acknowledging their transition into adulthood.

Using tomar decisiones correctly requires an understanding of how the verb tomar conjugates and how the noun decisiones functions as a direct object. Because it is a compound expression, you can modify it with adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases to add depth to your communication. In this section, we will explore the various grammatical structures and contexts where this phrase shines.

Basic Conjugation Patterns

The verb tomar is a regular -ar verb, making it relatively easy to use in different tenses.
• Present: Yo tomo decisiones (I make decisions).
• Past (Preterite): Ella tomó una decisión (She made a decision).
• Future: Nosotros tomaremos decisiones (We will make decisions).
• Subjunctive: Es importante que tú tomes decisiones (It is important that you make decisions).

When you want to describe *how* a decision is made, you can add adjectives after 'decisiones'. Common examples include decisiones difíciles (difficult decisions), decisiones apresuradas (rushed decisions), or decisiones sabias (wise decisions). Notice that in Spanish, the adjective typically follows the noun and must agree in gender and number. Since 'decisiones' is feminine and plural, the adjectives must also be feminine and plural.

Using Prepositions

To specify what the decision is about, use the preposition sobre (about/on). For example: "Tengo que tomar una decisión sobre mi futuro" (I have to make a decision about my future). You can also use respecto a (regarding) for a more formal tone: "Tomamos decisiones respecto a la nueva política de la empresa."

Another common structure involves the infinitive. When 'tomar decisiones' is the subject of a sentence, it acts as a noun phrase. For example: "Tomar decisiones es agotador" (Making decisions is exhausting). This is a great way to express opinions about the process of choosing. You can also use it after verbs of obligation like tener que or deber: "Debemos tomar decisiones basadas en datos reales."

The Passive and Impersonal Voice

In news reports or official documents, you might see the phrase in the passive voice or with the impersonal 'se'. For example: "Se tomaron decisiones importantes durante la reunión" (Important decisions were made during the meeting). This shifts the focus from who made the decision to the decisions themselves.

Finally, consider the use of the conditional mood to discuss hypothetical scenarios. "Si yo fuera el jefe, tomaría decisiones diferentes" (If I were the boss, I would make different decisions). This is a classic B1/B2 level structure that demonstrates a high command of Spanish grammar by combining 'tomar decisiones' with the imperfect subjunctive and the conditional.

The phrase tomar decisiones is not restricted to textbooks; it is a living part of the Spanish language heard in diverse environments, from high-stakes boardrooms to casual family dinners. Understanding where and how you will encounter this phrase in the real world will help you recognize its importance and use it more naturally.

In the Workplace

If you work in a Spanish-speaking environment, you will hear this phrase constantly. Managers discuss the 'proceso de toma de decisiones' (decision-making process). Employees might complain about 'la falta de capacidad para tomar decisiones' (the lack of ability to make decisions) from their superiors. In meetings, you might hear: "Estamos aquí para tomar decisiones, no solo para hablar" (We are here to make decisions, not just to talk). It carries a connotation of action and progress.

On the news and in politics, tomar decisiones is a staple of political discourse. Presidents and ministers are frequently grilled by journalists about why they 'tomaron la decisión' to raise taxes or change a law. Headline examples include: "El Banco Central toma la decisión de subir los tipos de interés" (The Central Bank makes the decision to raise interest rates). In this context, the phrase implies institutional power and public accountability.

In Personal Relationships and Therapy

The phrase is also deeply personal. In podcasts about self-help or psychology, experts talk about the 'miedo a tomar decisiones' (fear of making decisions). Couples might sit down to 'tomar decisiones sobre su relación' (make decisions about their relationship). It represents the crossroads of life. In these settings, the tone is often more reflective and emotional than in the workplace.

In sports, commentators often analyze the 'toma de decisiones' of a player. For example, a soccer player who passes instead of shooting might be criticized for their 'mala toma de decisiones' in the final third of the field. This highlights that the phrase applies to split-second physical actions as much as long-term strategic planning. Whether on the field or in the office, the quality of your decisions defines your success.

In Literature and Cinema

Spanish literature and film often revolve around characters forced to make impossible choices. From the existential dilemmas in Unamuno's works to the dramatic plot twists in modern Almodóvar films, the act of tomar decisiones is a central theme. You will often see characters grappling with 'tomar una decisión de vida o muerte' (making a life or death decision).

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using the phrase tomar decisiones. Because of the influence of English, certain errors are extremely common. Identifying these early will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusion in professional or academic settings.

The "Hacer" Trap

The most frequent mistake is saying "hacer una decisión." In English, we "make" decisions, and the direct translation of "make" is hacer. However, in Spanish, this is considered an anglicism and is technically incorrect. While a native speaker will understand you, it marks you clearly as a non-native. Always use tomar. Think of it as 'taking' a path rather than 'manufacturing' a choice.

Another common error involves the pluralization and gender of 'decisión'. Many learners forget that 'decisión' ends in '-ión', which almost always makes a noun feminine in Spanish. Therefore, it is 'la decisión' and 'las decisiones'. A common mistake is using masculine articles or adjectives: "un decisión" or "decisiones buenos." Remember: una decisión difícil, las decisiones correctas.

Confusing "Decidir" and "Tomar Decisiones"

While they are related, they aren't always interchangeable. Decidir is a verb that usually takes an infinitive or a clause: "Decidí irme" (I decided to leave). Tomar decisiones is a set phrase that describes the *act* or *responsibility*. You wouldn't say "Tomé la decisión de irme" as often as just "Decidí irme," unless you want to sound more formal or emphasize that it was a heavy choice.

Preposition errors are also frequent. English speakers often say "decisión en" when they should say "decisión sobre" or "decisión respecto a." For example, "He tomado una decisión sobre mi carrera" is correct, whereas "He tomado una decisión en mi carrera" means something slightly different (that you made the decision while you were at your job, not about the job itself).

Overusing the Singular

In English, we often talk about "decision-making" as a concept. In Spanish, when talking about the skill or the general process, the plural tomar decisiones is much more natural. Saying "Me gusta tomar decisión" is grammatically incomplete; it should be "Me gusta tomar decisiones."

To enrich your Spanish vocabulary, it is helpful to know synonyms and related phrases that can replace tomar decisiones depending on the context. While tomar decisiones is the most versatile term, these alternatives can provide more precision or a different tone to your speech.

Optar por

This means "to opt for" or "to choose." It is often used when there are clear, distinct alternatives.
Example: "Optamos por el camino más corto." (We opted for the shorter path.) It implies a selection process between specific options.

Decantarse por

A more sophisticated and slightly more idiomatic way to say you've leaned toward a certain choice after consideration. It's like 'settling on' an option.
Example: "Finalmente, me decanté por la oferta de trabajo en Madrid." (Finally, I leaned toward the job offer in Madrid.)

Resolver

While often meaning "to solve," in a formal or literary context, it can mean to make a firm decision or resolve to do something.
Example: "El juez resolvió que el acusado era inocente." (The judge resolved/decided that the accused was innocent.)

The reflexive verb decidirse is also a very common alternative. While decidir means to decide something, decidirse often means to finally make up one's mind after a period of hesitation. "¡Decídete ya!" means "Make up your mind already!" It focuses on the internal state of the person making the choice.

Determinar

This is a very formal synonym, often used in scientific, legal, or highly structured business environments. It implies that the decision was reached through rigorous analysis or objective facts.
Example: "El estudio determinó que la mejor opción era la inversión en tecnología."

In summary, while tomar decisiones is your "bread and butter" phrase, using optar, decantarse, or decidirse can make your Spanish sound more nuanced and precise. At the B1 level, being able to recognize these synonyms in reading and listening is just as important as being able to use the primary phrase correctly in speech.