Difference between 決める and 決まる

[ly2kutd1552]

I understand that both mean decide but I don't understand how they are used differently?
Can they be used interchangeably?

Is this correct?

I've decided to become a dentist.
歯医者になると決めた。

Thank you.

[bluecarbuncle_499022]

Hi,

決める means actually "to decide".
決まる means not correctly "to decide" but ①"be decided" , ②"regular" or ③"naturally ～" .　
If you decide something, then you can use 「決める」. So your example is right.

Now I show you some examples about 「決まる」

① The plan was decided. 計画が決まる（決まった）。
② He has no regular job. 彼は決まった仕事がない。
③ Winter is naturally cold. 冬は寒いに決まってる。

There are also some other meanings. But I think these three meanings are general part of 「決まる」.

Good luck!

[community.japanese]

ly2kutd1552 san,

Have you heard intransitive verb and transitive verb?
決める is a transitive verb and 決まるan intransitive verb.
Basically the sentence structure including a transitive verb is　“Subject はObject をVerb”.
On the other hand the sentence structure including an intransitive verb is “SubjectがVerb”.
For example,
私は　歯医者になることを　決めた。The subject is “I”and I decided to become a dentist.
医者になることが　決まった。In this sentence readers don’t know who decided that however, it’s decided anyway.
The page might be helpful.
http://www.japanesepod101.com/learningc ... rammar/471

bluecarbuncle san,
Thank you for the explanation.
That’s great!


Yuki　由紀
Team JapanesePod101.com

[ly2kutd1552]

Thank you bluecarbuncle and Yuki san!

Ahh.. I forgot about transitive and intransitive verbs.

[community.japanese]

Ly2kutd1552 san,
どういたしまして。
Yuki 由紀
Team JapanesePod101.com