How to Say "Choice" in Japanese

選択

sentaku[sẽ̞nta̠kɯ̟]

In Japanese, the English phrase "choice" is translated as 選択 (sentaku).

選択 refers to an option or decision (noun).

Meaning: option or decision (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

sentaku

The word 選択 (sentaku) is a homophone for the word for 'doing laundry'. Depending on the context, a sentence about making a 'choice' could be mistaken for a sentence about washing clothes.
Japanese has a unique way of expressing 'no choice' using the phrase 仕方がない (shikata ga nai). Rather than saying there is no 'selection' available, it literally means 'there is no way to do it'.
When a person is being indecisive and cannot make a choice, they might be described as 優柔不断 (yuujuufudan), a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) that describes a lack of decisiveness.

トムは選択した。
Tom made his choice.
This sentence shows how to use 選択 to indicate a completed choice.
Tatoeba #2242330 by bunbuku, translation #1868035 by CK
難しい選択ですね。
It's a tough choice.
This sentence uses 選択 to describe a difficult decision.
Tatoeba #11698077 by bunbuku, translation #3618618 by CK
僕らには選択肢がない。
We don't have a choice.
This sentence uses the noun form of 選択 to express having no choice.
Tatoeba #9086354 by Ninja, translation #2281779 by CK
ショッピングモールでの選択肢はたくさんあります。
In a shopping mall, there are many choices/options available.
どの選択肢が最善だと思いますか？
Which choice do you think is the best?
映画の選び方は個人の好みによる。
The choice of movies depends on individual preferences.
何を選びたいか迷っています。
I'm struggling with what I want to choose.
24 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui and Hiroto are discussing which course to take at a cooking class.

結衣 Yui

どのクラスにする？
Dono kurasu ni suru?
Which class are you going to pick?
大翔 Hiroto

まだ選択に迷っているよ。
Mada sentaku ni mayotte iru yo.
I'm still struggling with the choice.
結衣 Yui

イタリアンがいいと思うよ。
Itarian ga ii to omou yo.
I think Italian would be good.
大翔 Hiroto

そうだね。それにしよう。
Sou da ne. Sore ni shiyou.
You're right. Let's go with that.

Sources

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