Meaning and Usage
「決断」(けつだん) means "decision" or "determination." It refers to the act of making a firm choice after consideration, often in important or difficult situations.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in business, leadership, and personal life contexts where a clear and resolute choice is necessary. It emphasizes the firmness and finality of the decision.
Collocations and Patterns
- 決断を下す (けつだんをくだす): to make a decision; used when someone takes responsibility for deciding.
- 決断力 (けつだんりょく): decisiveness; the ability to make decisions quickly and firmly.
- 早い決断 (はやいけつだん): quick decision; often used when urgency is involved.
Nuances and Tips
Using 「決断」 implies a serious and often irreversible choice, not a casual or minor one. It is more formal and weighty than just 「決める」 (to decide). Avoid confusing it with 「判断」 (はんだん), which means "judgment" or "assessment" rather than the act of deciding itself.
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This word is formal and common in written and spoken Japanese, especially in professional or serious contexts.