JLPT N2 reference · Evidentiality and judgment
に決まっている
It asserts that an outcome is obviously or unquestionably true, often with strong personal confidence.
Core meaning and form
Attach に決まっている to a plain clause; nouns and な-adjectives attach without だ. It is more emphatic and conversational than に違いない and can sound dismissive.
- Form: Attach に決まっている to a plain clause; nouns and な-adjectives attach without だ.
- Core use: It asserts that an outcome is obviously or unquestionably true, often with strong personal confidence.
- Context: It is more emphatic and conversational than に違いない and can sound dismissive.
Examples in context
そんな話はうそに決まっている。Sonna hanashi wa uso ni kimatte iru.That story is obviously a lie.
彼が勝つに決まっている。Kare ga katsu ni kimatte iru.Of course he will win.
一人では無理に決まっています。Hitori dewa muri ni kimatte imasu.It is obviously impossible alone.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Attach に決まっている to a plain clause; nouns and な-adjectives attach without だ.
- It asserts that an outcome is obviously or unquestionably true, often with strong personal confidence.
- It is more emphatic and conversational than に違いない and can sound dismissive.