German word of the day: Entschlossen

Why do I need to know entschlossen?

Because it has multiple connotations that can all be very useful in a range of life situations, whether you're ordering in a restaurant or taking a major step in your career.

What does it mean?

Entschlossen (pronounced like this) is similar to the English words decisive or resolute. It describes a state of having firmly made up your mind about something, from small decisions like where to have lunch to bigger choices like ending a relationship or moving to a new city.

Of course, there may well be times when you find it impossible to reach a decision, in which case you would be unentschlossen.

As you may be aware, the word for decision in German is die Entscheidung, and if you come to a decision you can either use the verb entscheiden or say, "Ich habe eine Entscheidung getroffen" (I've made a decision). But when it comes to describing this sense of having decided or being resolved to do something, you'll need the word entschlossen. 

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That's because entscheidend - the word you might intuitively reach for instead - actually means decisive in a different sense. For example, a referee's decision to award a penalty in a 1-1 football match may play a decisive role in the winning team's victory. 

In situations where you've reached a firm decision, meanwhile, entschlossen is by the far the best adjective to use. 

Beyond everyday decisions, you can use this word to talk about a more prolonged state of feeling determined, purposeful and resolute.

For example, if a close friend has recently turned their life around and is training for a marathon, you may admire their Entschlossenheit - or determination - and use it as inspiration in your own life.

Use it like this:

Sie hat sehr entschlossen gewirkt, als ich sie gestern gesehen habe. 

She looked very resolute when I saw her yesterday.

Manchmal im Leben muss man einfach entschlossen sein.

Sometimes in life you just have to be determined.