To Decide

by Nao

ki-meru, ki-maru, ketsu

To decide is ki-meru. To be decided is ki-maru. Both meru and maru are okurigana.

Ketsu is used for compounds. Let me give you some examples relating with personal decisions. Ketsudan, ketsui and kesshin all mean determination or resolution. The dan of ketsudan means to decide. The i of ketsui means will. Kesshin is composed of ketsu and shin. Shin means the heart.

Kesshi is a kind of attitude you might show when you determine to do something. You use this expression when you dare to do it. Its literal meaning is ready to die.

Jiketsu is self-determination. It often means suicide committed from a sense of one’s responsibility.

Making a decision is not always personal. Hanketsu is a decision of the court. Han has something to do with judging. A majority vote is tasūketsu. Tasū means many.

First, draw the left-hand side of the character.

1. Draw the dot in the upper-left corner.
2. Draw the dot below it.
3. Draw the upward stroke in the lower-left corner. This stroke is heading toward the next stroke.
4. Draw the hook on the horizontal line.
5. Draw the horizontal line from the left to the right.
6. Draw the sweeping stroke from the top to the lower-left.
7. Draw the sweeping stroke from the last two strokes intersect to the lower right. The ending spreads.