择Tone 2

zé ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

择 · zé

to choose;

to select;

to pick;

to distinguish

to chooseto selectto pick

Usage highlights

to chooseno choiceto select the bestto pick foodto select and employto choose a spouse

Synonyms

选— to choose; to select
挑— to pick; to select
拣— to choose; to pick out

Antonyms

弃— to abandon; to discard
舍— to give up; to abandon

Usage & contexts

Examples

You need to choose a major (选择专业).
He is very selective about food (择食).
We have no choice but to wait (别无选择).
Selective admission (择优录取).

Collocations

to choose(选择)
no choice(别无选择)
to select the best(择优)
to pick food(择食)
to select and employ(择业)
to choose a spouse(择偶)

Idioms

To choose only the good ones(择善而从)
To choose friends carefully(择友而交)
Unable to choose between two options(择一而从)
To pick and choose(挑三拣四)
To choose the right time(择机而动)

Cultural background

The character embodies the Confucian value of making careful, moral choices.
In traditional Chinese culture, '择' carries the connotation of discernment and wisdom in selection.
Used in important life decisions such as choosing a spouse (择偶), career (择业), and friends (择友).

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