1.
decisive factor; determining factor
An element or condition that plays a key role in determining an outcome.
成功の決定要素は何か。
What is the deciding factor for success?
価格が購入の決定要素になることが多い。
Price is often the deciding factor in a purchase.
この試合の決定要素は後半の体力の差だったと言えるだろう。
You could say the deciding factor in this game was the difference in stamina in the second half.
A compound of 決定 (decision, determination) and 要素 (element, factor). Used in analytical discussions about what causes or influences a particular outcome.
Common in business, academic, sports commentary, and everyday analytical conversation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 成功の決定要素: the decisive factor for success
- 最大の決定要素: the biggest deciding factor
- 重要な決定要素: an important determining factor
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 決め手: the deciding factor, clincher — more colloquial and punchy
- 要因: factor, cause — more general, often used for causes of problems or phenomena
- 決定的な要因: a decisive factor — a phrase variant using an adjective instead of a compound noun