选择
xuǎnzé
In Chinese, the word for choice is 选择 (xuǎnzé).
选择 is a versatile term used to mean both a choice (noun) and to choose (verb). When you want to say "to make a choice," it is common to use the verb 做出 before 选择.
Meaning: option or decision (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 选择 refers to the act or the result of choosing, the term 选项 is used specifically for the individual options or items provided in a list, such as items in a multiple-choice test. For an important or life-altering decision, the formal term 抉择 is used instead. If you want to emphasize the process of picking through something with careful consideration, use 挑选.
How does it change in a sentence?
选择 can function as both a noun (choice) and a verb (to choose) depending on the context of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
xuǎnzé
Did you know?
- The formal word for a life-altering choice, 抉择, contains a character 抉 that literally means 'to carve out' or 'to split with a chisel'.
- In modern Chinese slang, the phrase 选择困难症 refers to 'choice difficulty syndrome', describing a person who cannot decide between simple options.
- If a person is being very picky during a choice, they might be described as using the verb 挑 (tiāo), which is also the word for 'to provoke' or 'to pick a fight'.
Examples in context
- 这是你的选择。It's your choice.This sentence is useful for practicing the noun form of 选择.Tatoeba #9971430 by GlossaMatik, translation #863717 by cris
- 汤姆做出了选择。Tom made a choice.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to describe the act of making a choice with 选择.Tatoeba #5072265 by musclegirlxyp, translation #2648327 by CK
- 那是个明智的选择。That's a wise choice.This sentence demonstrates using 选择 as a noun to describe a quality of the choice.Tatoeba #14037704 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #2992317 by CK
- 我做出了一个艰难的选择。I made a difficult choice.
- 你有什么选项可供选择？(Nǐ yǒu shé me xuǎnxiàng kě gōng xuǎnzé?)What options do you have to choose from?
- 我想保留一些选择权。(Wǒ xiǎng bǎoliú yīxiē xuǎnzé quán.)I want to retain some right to choose.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing which movie to watch.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你有什么好的选择吗？Nǐ yǒu shénme hǎo de xuǎnzé ma?Do you have any good options?
- 浩然 Haoran这部科幻片看起来不错。Zhè bù kēhuànpiàn kàn qǐlái bùcuò.This sci-fi movie looks good.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，我也觉得这个不错。Hàorán, wǒ yě juéde zhège bùcuò.Haoran, I also think this one is good.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们就选这一部吧。Nà wǒmen jiù xuǎn zhè yī bù ba.Then let's choose this one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
