TL;DR
- -기로 결심하다 means "to decide to (do something)" and is used when you make a firm decision or resolution about a future action 💪
- Attach -기로 결심하다 directly to verb stems, and it emphasizes your commitment and determination to follow through with the decision ✨
- This pattern is more formal and serious than casual decision-making expressions, perfect for talking about life changes, goals, and important choices 🎯
What does -기로 결심하다 mean? 🤔
-기로 결심하다 literally means "to decide to do something" or "to resolve to do something" 💭
It's used when you want to express that you've made a firm decision or resolution about doing something in the future! This isn't just a casual "yeah, maybe I'll do that" — it's a serious commitment 🔥
Think of it as announcing your determination to make a change or take action 💪✨
How to use it 📝
The structure is super straightforward! Just follow this pattern:
Verb stem + -기로 결심하다
That's it! 🎉
→ 매일 운동하기로 결심했어요.
(I decided to exercise every day.)
→ 담배를 끊기로 결심했습니다.
(I resolved to quit smoking.)
→ 한국어를 열심히 공부하기로 결심했어요.
(I decided to study Korean diligently.)
Breaking it down 🔍
Let's look at what's happening here! 👀
-기 = This turns the verb into a noun form (like adding "-ing" in English)
-로 = A particle meaning "as" or indicating a method/choice
결심하다 = The verb meaning "to decide" or "to resolve"
So literally, it's like saying "as for doing [action], I decide" 🧠💡
More examples! 📚
→ 내년부터 일찍 일어나기로 결심했어요.
(I decided to wake up early starting next year.)
→ 그녀는 유학 가기로 결심했습니다.
(She decided to study abroad.)
→ 건강을 위해 술을 줄이기로 결심했어요.
(I decided to cut down on alcohol for my health.)
→ 새로운 취미를 시작하기로 결심했습니다.
(I resolved to start a new hobby.)
→ 더 이상 미루지 않기로 결심했어요.
(I decided not to procrastinate anymore.)
Similar expressions 🔄
You might also see -기로 결정하다 which means basically the same thing! 🎯
결심하다 = to resolve/decide (emphasizes personal determination and willpower)
결정하다 = to decide (more neutral, can be used for any decision)
Both work great, but 결심하다 feels more emotionally committed and serious 💪✨
→ 이사 가기로 결정했어요.
(I decided to move.)
→ 회사를 그만두기로 결정했습니다.
(I decided to quit my job.)
Pro tips! 💡
Tip #1: This pattern is often used when talking about New Year's resolutions, life goals, or major life decisions! 🎊
Tip #2: You can add time expressions to make it even clearer when you made the decision 📅
→ 어제 다이어트를 시작하기로 결심했어요.
(Yesterday I decided to start a diet.)
Tip #3: This is more formal/polite than casual Korean, so it's perfect for writing, formal conversations, or when you want to sound serious about your decision 🎩
Exceptions ⚠️
There are no major exceptions with this grammar pattern! 🎉
Just remember that 결심하다 conjugates like a regular verb, so you can use it in past, present, or future tense:
- 결심했어요 (decided - past) ✅
- 결심해요 (decide - present) ✅
- 결심할 거예요 (will decide - future) ✅
You've got this! 화이팅! 🔥💪✨
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks using -기로 결심하다, -기로 결정하다, or -기로 하다. 📝
- 내일부터 매일 운동을 .
Answer
하기로 결심했어요 / 하기로 했어요
- 회사를 그만두고 새로운 일을 시작.
Answer
하기로 결정했어요
- 친구들과 주말에 제주도에 .
Answer
가기로 했어요
- 담배를 끊 지 벌써 6개월이 됐어요.
Answer
기로 결심한
- 다음 학기에 한국어 수업을 더 .
Answer
듣기로 했어요
- 건강을 위해서 술을 .
Answer
마시지 않기로 결심했어요
- 부모님과 함께 살 마음을 먹었어요.
Answer
기로
- 우리는 다음 달에 결혼을 .
Answer
하기로 결정했어요
- 아침에 일찍 일어나 했는데 오늘도 늦잠을 잤어요.
Answer
기로
- 더 이상 거짓말을 .
Answer
하지 않기로 결심했어요
Vocabulary
운동 - exercise
매일 - every day
회사 - company
그만두다 - to quit
담배 - cigarette
끊다 - to quit, stop
학기 - semester
듣다 - to take (a class)
건강 - health
술 - alcohol
부모님 - parents
마음을 먹다 - to make up one's mind
결혼 - marriage
일찍 - early
늦잠을 자다 - to oversleep
거짓말 - lie
Common mistakes ⚠️
- 🚫 Don't confuse -기로 결심하다 (a strong personal resolution) with -기로 하다 (a general decision or plan)
- 🚫 Remember that -기로 결정하다 is typically used for important, formal decisions, not everyday choices
- 🚫 Don't forget to use the negative form correctly: -지 않기로 or -지 말기로
- 🚫 Be careful with past tense: -기로 했어요 (decided to) vs -기로 결심했어요 (resolved to)