결정을 내리다.
Gyeoljeongeul naerida.
To make a decision.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when you've finished weighing your options and have finally picked a path.
- Means: To finalize a choice after thinking it through.
- Used in: Business meetings, choosing a major, or big life changes.
- Don't confuse: Don't use it for trivial things like picking a snack.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
To come to a conclusion or choice after deliberation.
Contexte culturel
In many Korean companies, decisions are made through a process called 'Gyeol-jae' ({결재|決裁}), where a document is passed up the hierarchy for approval. When the final boss signs it, they have '내렸다' the decision. Koreans often value group harmony. A 'decision' is rarely made by one person without consulting others first, even if the final phrase '결정을 내리다' is used by the leader. The Korean legal system, influenced by civil law, uses '내리다' for almost all judicial outcomes, emphasizing the state's authority. Parents often have a significant say in a student's university choice. When a student says '결정을 내렸어요,' it often implies a family-wide agreement.
The 'Finally' Pair
This phrase pairs perfectly with '드디어' (finally) or '결국' (eventually) to show you've finished a long thought process.
Don't 'Make' it
Never say '결정을 만들다'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Stick to '내리다'.
Signification
To come to a conclusion or choice after deliberation.
The 'Finally' Pair
This phrase pairs perfectly with '드디어' (finally) or '결국' (eventually) to show you've finished a long thought process.
Don't 'Make' it
Never say '결정을 만들다'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Stick to '내리다'.
Dropping the Particle
In casual speech, say '결정 내렸어' instead of '결정을 내렸어' to sound more like a native speaker.
Respect the Boss
When talking about a superior's decision, always use '내리셨습니다' to show proper respect.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '내리다'.
오랫동안 고민한 끝에 드디어 결정을 ______.
The standard collocation for 'making a decision' is '결정을 내리다'. In the past tense, it becomes '내렸어요'.
Which sentence is most natural for a business meeting?
Which one would a manager say?
'결정을 내리다' is perfect for professional contexts like project decisions. Using it for lunch is too formal.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이사를 갈 거예요? 나: 아직 ______________.
The context implies the person is still unsure, so 'haven't been able to make a decision' is the correct response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you use '결심하다' instead of '결정을 내리다'?
'결심하다' is for personal resolutions and internal promises, whereas '결정을 내리다' is for choosing between options.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
결정하다 vs 결정을 내리다
Common Objects for '내리다'
Formal
- • 결정 (Decision)
- • 판결 (Verdict)
- • 명령 (Order)
Natural
- • 비 (Rain)
- • 눈 (Snow)
- • 서리 (Frost)
Physical
- • 짐 (Luggage)
- • 커튼 (Curtain)
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds like you're choosing a wedding dress or a uniform for war. For daily clothes, use '정하다'.
'결정하다' is the verb 'to decide.' '결정을 내리다' is 'to make a decision.' The latter is more formal and emphasizes the finality of the result.
No, '내리다' is also used with '판단' (judgment), '결론' (conclusion), and '명령' (order).
You can say '아직 결정 못 내렸어요' or '아직 고민 중이에요'.
No, while '내리다' can mean 'to get off' a bus, in this context it means 'to issue' or 'to hand down'.
Yes, it is very professional and highly recommended for business emails.
Many formal Korean nouns come from Chinese characters (Hanja) to provide precise, academic, or formal meanings.
No, that is incorrect. You 'give' an answer (답을 주다), but you 'lower' a decision.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '결정을 미루다' (to postpone a decision) is often used.
Constantly! Especially in business or legal dramas when a character has to make a big life choice.
No, you don't 'lower a thought.' You just 'have a thought' (생각하다).
It is always '결정을' (object) or just '결정' (omitted particle).
Expressions liées
결심을 하다
similarTo make a resolution
판단을 내리다
similarTo pass judgment
결론을 짓다
builds onTo wrap up a conclusion
마음을 정하다
similarTo make up one's mind
선택하다
specialized formTo choose/select
확정하다
specialized formTo finalize/confirm
Où l'utiliser
Job Offer
Friend A: 그 회사에 가기로 했어?
Friend B: 응, 고민 많이 했는데 결국 가기로 결정을 내렸어.
Business Meeting
Manager: 새 프로젝트 예산에 대해 결정을 내리셨습니까?
Employee: 네, 어제 회의에서 최종 결정을 내렸습니다.
Family Discussion
Mom: 이번 휴가 어디로 갈지 결정을 내리자.
Son: 저는 제주도에 가고 싶어요!
University Major
Teacher: 전공은 정했니?
Student: 아직 고민 중이에요. 다음 주까지는 결정을 내릴게요.
Buying a House
Realtor: 이 집으로 하시겠어요?
Client: 남편과 상의하고 내일까지 결정을 내릴게요.
Ordering Food (Humorous)
Friend A: 메뉴판만 20분째 보고 있네.
Friend B: 드디어 결정을 내렸어! 난 페퍼로니 피자!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a judge 'lowering' (내리다) a gavel to finalize a 'decision' (결정).
Visual Association
Imagine a heavy stone labeled 'DECISION' being lowered from a crane onto a solid foundation. The dust settles, and the path is clear.
Story
You are standing at a crossroads for hours. You look at your map (deliberation). Finally, you 'bring down' your foot on the path to the right. That firm step is you 'lowering' your decision.
Word Web
Défi
Write down one 'big' decision you made this year using the phrase: '올해 저는 [Decision]하기로 결정을 내렸어요.'
In Other Languages
Tomar una decisión
The verb 'take' vs 'lower' changes the metaphorical direction of the action.
Prendre une décision
French focuses on the act of grasping a choice; Korean on the act of settling it.
Eine Entscheidung treffen
German is about 'hitting the mark,' Korean is about 'handing down' the result.
決定を下す (Kettei o kudasu)
Virtually no difference in nuance or structure.
اتخاذ قرار (Ittikhadh qarar)
Korean focuses on the finality of the 'landing' of the decision.
做出决定 (Zuòchū juédìng)
Chinese 'produces' the decision; Korean 'issues' it.
결정하다
'결정하다' is a general action; '결정을 내리다' is a significant event.
Tomar uma decisão
The 'downward' motion in Korean is unique compared to the 'taking' motion in Portuguese.
Easily Confused
Learners often use '결정' for personal goals like 'I decided to exercise.'
Use '결정' for external choices (which car, which job) and '결심' for internal changes (dieting, habits).
Using the long form for small things.
If it takes less than 5 minutes to think about, use '정하다'.
FAQ (12)
Technically yes, but it sounds like you're choosing a wedding dress or a uniform for war. For daily clothes, use '정하다'.
'결정하다' is the verb 'to decide.' '결정을 내리다' is 'to make a decision.' The latter is more formal and emphasizes the finality of the result.
No, '내리다' is also used with '판단' (judgment), '결론' (conclusion), and '명령' (order).
You can say '아직 결정 못 내렸어요' or '아직 고민 중이에요'.
No, while '내리다' can mean 'to get off' a bus, in this context it means 'to issue' or 'to hand down'.
Yes, it is very professional and highly recommended for business emails.
Many formal Korean nouns come from Chinese characters (Hanja) to provide precise, academic, or formal meanings.
No, that is incorrect. You 'give' an answer (답을 주다), but you 'lower' a decision.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '결정을 미루다' (to postpone a decision) is often used.
Constantly! Especially in business or legal dramas when a character has to make a big life choice.
No, you don't 'lower a thought.' You just 'have a thought' (생각하다).
It is always '결정을' (object) or just '결정' (omitted particle).
