选择 (xuǎnzé)

选择 means "to choose," "to select," or "choice" and refers to the act of picking from available options, or the option itself.

Meanings

[verb] to choose; to select; to pick
[noun] choice; option; selection

Example Sentences

你有权利选择自己的生活方式。 Nǐ yǒu quánlì xuǎnzé zìjǐ de shēnghuó fāngshì. You have the right to choose your own way of life.

这道题有四个选择，只能选一个。 Zhè dào tí yǒu sì gè xuǎnzé, zhǐ néng xuǎn yīgè. This question has four choices; you can only choose one.

他选择了继续深造而不是工作。 Tā xuǎnzé le jìxù shēnzào ér bùshì gōngzuò. He chose to continue his studies rather than work.

面对困难，我们要做出正确的选择。 Miànduì kùnnán, wǒmen yào zuòchū zhèngquè de xuǎnzé. When facing difficulties, we must make the right choices.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
做出选择	to make a choice
自由选择	free choice
多种选择	multiple options
正确选择	right choice

Usage Notes

选择 is used both as a verb (to choose) and a noun (a choice or option). It is more deliberate and thoughtful than 挑 (tiāo, to pick casually). When making decisions in formal contexts, 做出选择 (to make a choice) is the natural expression. In test-taking contexts, 选择题 (xuǎnzé tí) means "multiple-choice question."

Memory Hook

选 (xuǎn) means "to select or elect" and 择 (zé) also means "to choose or pick": both characters reinforce the meaning of choosing, making it easy to remember.