verb
to decide, to rule
B1
Means 'to decide' (choose) and 'to rule' (decide a case). Irregular strong verb with past stem entschied- and participle entschieden. Uses auxiliary haben. Common reflexive form: sich entscheiden für/gegen (decide for/against). Present stem vowel alternates e→ei in some forms; transitive and appears in passive.
Examples
Hast du dich für ein Buch entschieden?
Have you decided on a book?
Er entschied sich für den Job.
He decided on the job.
Das Komitee entschied, das Projekt zu verlängern, weil mehr Zeit nötig war.
The committee decided to extend the project because more time was needed.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a judge putting a stamp that says 'entschieden' (decided) on a document.
Sounds like 'enter-side' — choosing one side or option.
Notes
entscheiden is an irregular (strong) verb often used both transitively (etwas entscheiden) and reflexively in the sense of 'to make up one's mind' (sich entscheiden). In the perfect tense it uses haben: 'hat entschieden'.