to decide to ~

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses making a decision oneself.

[Verb dictionary form/ない-form] + ことにする

来年、日本に行くことにしました。

Rainen, Nihon ni iku koto ni shimashita.

I decided to go to Japan next year.

お酒は飲まないことにしています。

Osake wa nomanai koto ni shite imasu.

I've decided not to drink alcohol.

Don't confuse with ～ことになる (decision made by others).

～ことになる

it has been decided that ~

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Use for personal decisions and resolutions.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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