This application discloses example decoding methods, example decoders, and example decoding apparatuses. One example decoding method includes performing soft decision decoding on a first sub-codeword in a plurality of sub-codewords to obtain a hard decision result. It is determined whether to skip a decoding iteration. In response to determining not to skip the decoding iteration, a first turn-off identifier corresponding to the first sub-codeword is set to a first value based on the hard decision result. The first turn-off identifier indicates whether to perform soft decision decoding on the first sub-codeword in a next decoding iteration. The soft decision decoding is not performed on the first sub-codeword in the next decoding iteration when a value indicated by the first turn-off identifier is the first value. The hard decision result is stored.