Japanese symbol for “decider”

決め手

きめて

Romaji: kimete

decider; person who decides

In Japanese, decider is 決め手, read きめて (kimete).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n decider; person who decides
n decisive factor; clincher; key; trump card; winning move; decisive blow

Written forms: 決め手、極め手. Readings: きめて.

Kanji and stroke order

決

decide, fix, agree upon

on: ケツ
kun: き.める、-ぎ.め、き.まる、さ.く

7 strokes · JLPT 2

手

hand

on: シュ、ズ
kun: て、て-、-て、た-

4 strokes · JLPT 4

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
決定	けってい kettei	decision; determination
解決	かいけつ kaiketsu	settlement; solution; resolution
決して	けっして kesshite	(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least
判決	はんけつ hanketsu	judicial decision; judgement; judgment
決勝	けっしょう kesshou	decision of a contest
決断	けつだん ketsudan	decision; determination
相手	あいて aite	companion; partner; company
選手	せんしゅ senshu	player (of a sport); athlete; team member

See also: Chinese symbol for “decider”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.