选择 meaning in English
to select; to pick; choice; option; alternative
Meaning of 选择
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to select; to pick
- choice; option; alternative
How to use 选择
选择 works as a verb, to choose, and as a noun, a choice. It often appears in patterns like 做出选择 (zuòchū xuǎnzé, to make a choice) and 没有选择 (méiyǒu xuǎnzé, to have no choice). Example: 你可以选择红色或者蓝色。(Nǐ kěyǐ xuǎnzé hóngsè huòzhě lánsè.) You can choose red or blue.
Both characters mean picking: 选 (xuǎn) has the walking radical 辶, like walking along to pick something out, and 择 (zé) has the hand radical 扌, like reaching out with your hand to take it. Walk, look, then grab your choice.
Common mistake: Learners often write 择 with the wrong side, confusing it with 译 (yì, translate), which has the speech radical 讠 instead of the hand 扌. Also remember 择 is zé with a rising second tone, not zhé.
选择 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
选 xuǎn · to choose · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
择 zé · to select · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 选择.
| 选手 | xuǎnshǒu | athlete; contestant |
| 挑选 | tiāoxuǎn | to choose; to select |
| 当选 | dāngxuǎn | to be elected; to be selected |
| 选修 | xuǎnxiū | (at a school) to take as an elective; an elective |
| 选举 | xuǎnjǔ | to elect; election |
| 选拔 | xuǎnbá | to select the best |
| 评选 | píngxuǎn | to select on the basis of a vote or consensus |
| 竞选 | jìngxuǎn | to take part in an election; to run for office |
| 候选人 | hòuxuǎnrén | candidate |
| 人选 | rénxuǎn | choice of person; candidate |
| 选民 | xuǎnmín | voter; constituency |
| 选项 | xuǎnxiàng | option; alternative; choice; to choose a project |
Questions about 选择
What does 选择 mean?
选择 (xuǎnzé) means "to select; to pick; choice; option; alternative" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 选择?
选择 is made of 2 characters: 选 (9 strokes), 择 (8 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 选择 an HSK word?
Yes. 选择 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 选择 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 选择 is written 選擇.
What is the difference between 选择 and 挑选?
选择 is the general word for choosing and also works as a noun meaning a choice. 挑选 (tiāoxuǎn) is only a verb and suggests carefully picking from many items, like picking fruit or clothes.
Can I use 选择 for elections?
Not usually. For voting people into office, Chinese uses 选举 (xuǎnjǔ, to elect) or 当选 (dāngxuǎn, to be elected). 选择 is for everyday personal choices.