Decidir means 'to decide', and it is a regular -ir verb that is essential for talking about choices, plans and the future. The key structure is decidir + infinitive — decidí estudiar español (I decided to study Spanish) — and the reflexive decidirse a adds the nuance of finally making your mind up. Because explaining decisions and their reasons is exactly the kind of developed answer that scores well, decidir is a high-value verb for the writing and speaking papers. As a regular -ir verb it follows a predictable pattern, so the focus is on using it to justify your choices.
Quick facts
Decidir (to decide) is a regular -ir verb.
Real sentences across different tenses — the kind of thing you'd actually say or write.
Decidir + infinitive: decidí ir (I decided to go).
Reflexive decidirse a: me decidí a estudiar.
Pair with porque to explain decisions and score marks.
Follows the standard -ir pattern across tenses.
Fixed expressions worth knowing — they come up in listening, reading and writing tasks.
Idiomatic expressions
decidir is a regular -ir verb — it follows the standard -ir pattern in every tense. That makes it a good one to drill: if you know decidir, you know the template for all regular -ir verbs.
Type conjugations from memory and get instant feedback. That's how you actually build the automatic recall the exam needs — not from reading tables.
Practice decidir now →Three questions, no account needed. Type the form, then press Enter or tap Check.
yo: decido, tú: decides, él: decide, nosotros: decidimos, vosotros: decidís, ellos: deciden
The past participle is decidido (he decidido) and the gerund is decidiendo (estoy decidiendo).
Verbs that are easy to confuse with decidir or that behave like it.
Decidir is on the AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas GCSE Spanish vocabulary lists. Compare the exam boards.
Written by Daniel Holmes for GCSE & A-Level Spanish students.