決める vs 選ぶ
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 決める
Listen to 選ぶ
| 決める | 選ぶ |
|---|---|
ki-ME-ru verb (transitive) | えらぶ verb (transitive) |
| to decide; to choose; to determine | to choose; to select (emphasis on picking from options) |
How they differ
選ぶ emphasizes the act of selecting one item from multiple options, while 決める emphasizes arriving at a decision or settling something (which may include selection but also other types of resolution).
When to use each
When to use 決める: Prefer 決める when you want to stress making or finalizing a decision or plan, not just the act of picking.
When to use 選ぶ: Prefer 選ぶ when you want to highlight choosing among alternatives (e.g., picking a candidate, product, or menu item).
Side-by-side examples
- 今夜見る映画を決めよう。
(Let's decide which movie to watch tonight.) - どの映画を選ぶ？
(Which movie will you choose?)
Register & nuance: Both are neutral in register, but 選ぶ is specifically about selection and is equally common in spoken and written Japanese.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for 決める
- See the Word of the Day entry for 選ぶ
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