1.
to resolve to do, to decide suddenly, to set one's mind to
To suddenly make up one's mind to do something, often on impulse or inspiration. The decision is typically spontaneous rather than the result of long deliberation.
思い立ったらすぐ行動する。
When I make up my mind, I act immediately.
ある日突然、旅に出ようと思い立った。
One day I suddenly resolved to go on a trip.
思い立ったが吉日と言うから、今日から始めよう。
They say there's no day like the day you decide to act, so let's start today.
USAGE:
Emphasizes the moment of sudden decision or inspiration. The decision is spontaneous — if someone 思い立つ something, they haven't been deliberating for a long time.
PROVERB:
思い立ったが吉日 — "The day you decide to act is a lucky day." Encourages acting immediately on one's resolutions rather than procrastinating.
GRAMMAR:
Godan verb ending in つ. Intransitive. Typically followed by と or たら: 〜しようと思い立つ (resolve to do something).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 思い立ったらすぐ: as soon as one decides
- 〜しようと思い立つ: to resolve to do...
- 思い立ったが吉日: no time like the present