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decidir means to decide — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 24, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

decidir

verb • /[deh-see-DEER]/

to decide

Example:

Todavía no decidí qué voy a hacer.

I still haven't decided what I'm going to do.

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🧠 What does decidir mean?

Decidir means 'to decide' or 'to make up one's mind.' It implies making a choice after considering different options. It can refer to small, everyday decisions or big, life-changing ones. You can decide to have pizza for dinner or decide to move to a new country – the verb covers them both!

📚 Extra examples

  • No puedo decidir qué ponerme.
    I can't decide what to wear.
  • Ella decidió estudiar medicina.
    She decided to study medicine.
  • ¿Ya decidiste a dónde ir de vacaciones?
    Have you decided where to go on vacation yet?
  • Decidieron comprar una casa nueva.
    They decided to buy a new house.
  • Tenemos que decidir pronto.
    We have to decide soon.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to decide' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to decide' is 'decidir.'
How do you pronounce 'decidir' in Spanish?
It's pronounced deh-thee-DEER, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'decidir' in a sentence?
Here are a couple of examples: 'No puedo decidir qué comer' (I can't decide what to eat), or 'Él decidió ir al cine' (He decided to go to the cinema).
What is the English translation of 'decidir'?
'Decidir' translates to 'to decide' in English.
Does 'decidir' change for gender or number?
No, 'decidir' doesn't change based on gender. However, like all verbs, it does conjugate based on the subject pronoun and tense.
Is 'decidir' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'decidir' is a very common verb used in everyday conversations.
Does 'decidir' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. 'Decidir' has a straightforward meaning and isn't usually used in slang.
Is 'decidir' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'decidir' are consistent across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'decidir' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense: yo decido, tú decides, él/ella/usted decide, nosotros/nosotras decidimos, vosotros/vosotras decidís, ellos/ellas/ustedes deciden.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "decidir"

Synonyms: resolver, determinar, optar por
Opposites: dudar, vacilar

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'decidir' comes from the Latin word 'dēcīdere,' which means 'to cut off' or 'to settle.' This reflects the idea of making a choice and cutting off other possibilities.

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