Translation guide
The English verb "determine" has several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
To discover or establish something exactly, often through investigation or calculation.
determine the cause · determine the location · determine whether...
To track down or ascertain something after investigation. Often used for causes, facts, or locations.
Determine the cause of the accident.
To identify or specify something precisely. Common in technical or formal contexts.
We need to determine the location of the problem.
To become clear or be established (intransitive). Often used when a fact comes to light.
The cause was determined.
To clarify or make something clear. Casual and versatile.
Let's determine the truth.
To make a firm decision about something, often after consideration.
determine to do something · determine a course of action · determine the outcome
The most common word for 'decide'. Used for personal decisions, plans, rules, etc.
To cause or control how something happens; to be the reason for a particular result.
determine the outcome · determine success or failure · determine the future
To influence or control decisively. Often used for factors that determine outcomes.
To firmly decide or be determined to do something, often with a sense of willpower.
be determined to do · determine to succeed · determine that...
Pattern: [decision] と決心する. Expresses a firm personal resolve.
To officially decide or fix something, such as rules, boundaries, or parameters.
determine the rules · determine the boundaries · determine the conditions
決める is the everyday word for 'decide'. 決定する is formal and used for official decisions. 決心する emphasizes personal resolve or determination.
Decide what to eat.
We need to determine the cause of the problem.
They determined his whereabouts.
Determine a policy.
Let's determine the schedule.
Formal 'decide' or 'determine'. Used in official, business, or legal contexts.
The court determined the verdict.
To make up one's mind, resolve to do something. Emphasizes personal determination.
He determined to study abroad.
To make a decision, often a difficult or important one. Literally 'to hand down a decision'.
The management determined a difficult decision.
This match will determine the championship.
The weather determines the crop yield.
Also used for 'determine' in the sense of deciding an outcome. Common in sports and contests.
His goal determined the match.
To decisively determine or define. Stronger than 決める.
That event determined his life.
Literally 'to hold the fate'. Dramatic expression for determining destiny.
This choice determines the company's fate.
He determined to succeed no matter what.
To decide in one's heart. Emphasizes internal determination.
I determined to study abroad.
To firmly resolve. Formal and strong.
He firmly determined to take revenge.
To establish, prescribe, or lay down rules, standards, etc. Formal.
The law determines the election procedures.
General 'decide', also used for setting rules or conditions.
Determine the rules.
To stipulate or prescribe. Very formal, used in legal or official documents.
The conditions are determined in the contract.
The committee determines the policy.
He determined to quit smoking.
In many cases, 'determine' is better expressed with a more specific Japanese verb like 突き止める (find out), 決める (decide), or 左右する (influence). Using a generic translation like 決定する in every context can sound unnatural.
天候がイベントの成功を左右するだろう。
The weather will determine the success of the event.
She determined to become a doctor.