Decidido

Decidido is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe someone who is determined or resolute, or something that has been decided. It also functions as the past participle of the verb decidir in both languages.

In Spanish, decidido has gender and number forms: decidido (masculine singular), decidida (feminine singular); decididos, decididas (plural). In Portuguese, the forms are the same: decidido (masculine), decidida (feminine), decididos, decididas (plural). As an adjective, it can modify a noun or appear predicatively, and is commonly found in phrases such as una persona decidida or uma pessoa decidida, and atitudes decididas or ações decididas.

Etymology: decided derives from Latin decidere, formed from de- “off, away” + caedere “to cut,” via the Romance languages, where it acquired the sense of making up one’s mind to act or choose.

Usage and nuance: When applied to a person, the term conveys firm resolve and strong will. It can also be used as the past participle of decidir in compound tenses (e.g., ha decidido in Spanish, ele decidiu in Portuguese), meaning “has decided.” In contrast to synonyms like determinante or resoluto, decidido often emphasizes a clear, unwavering attitude or decision in behavior and character.

See also: determinación, firmeza, resolución. While closely related to “determinado” or “resuelto,” decidid o emphasizes the decisiveness of a choice or stance, sometimes with a connotation of personal commitment.