HSK 3, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #13027, Hard
zé(ze2) T2
1to select
2to choose
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March 24, 2026
择(擇)zé(ze2)
The character 择 (zé) means 'to select' or 'to choose.' It is commonly used in contexts where one is making a decision or picking out options from a group. This word emphasizes the act of discerning and differentiating between choices.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#13027DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, making a selection often involves careful consideration, reflecting the value placed on thoughtful decision-making. For example, the process of choosing a life partner or career is typically approached with great seriousness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing in front of a menu at a restaurant, trying to decide what to eat. The character 择 resembles a hand (the left side) reaching out to pick (the right side) the best dish from the menu. Remember 'zé' sounds like 'zeal,' as in zealously choosing the best option.
Meanings of 择
zé(ze2)
1to select
2to choose
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 择
择Simplified
擇Traditional
8Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#13027Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3
Podcast: 择
Podcast: 择
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AI Study Notes for 择
Quick Contrast
选择 (xuǎnzé) vs 挑选 (tiāoxuǎn) — use 择 when emphasizing the act of making a decision among options, while 选择 focuses more on the overall process of selection, and 挑选 highlights the act of picking out specific items.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing in front of a menu at a restaurant, trying to decide what to eat. The character 择 resembles a hand (the left side) reaching out to pick (the right side) the best dish from the menu. Remember 'zé' sounds like 'zeal,' as in zealously choosing the best option.
Usage Notes
In Mandarin, 择 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as 择校 (zé xiào), meaning 'to choose a school.' A common mistake is confusing it with 选择 (xuǎnzé), which means 'to choose' but is more general. Pay attention to the tones to avoid confusion with related words.
HSK Study Tips
While 择 is not included in the official HSK list, it is related to 高级词汇 (advanced vocabulary) in HSK 6. Focus on its usage in compound words and phrases to enhance understanding at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, making a selection often involves careful consideration, reflecting the value placed on thoughtful decision-making. For example, the process of choosing a life partner or career is typically approached with great seriousness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 择 with 选 (xuǎn), which also means 'to choose.' An incorrect example is using 择 in a situation where 选 would fit better, such as saying 择一个电影 instead of 选一个电影 (choose a movie).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 择
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 睪 represents the sound. The simplified character 择 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 擇.
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Grammar Patterns of 择
择 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Robb is torn between becoming a doctor and a career in athletics.
10
莱森不得不在娶她和保住工作之间作出选择。
lái sēn bù dé bù zài qǔ tā hé bǎo zhù gōng zuò zhī jiān zuò chū xuǎn zé。
Lathan had to choose between marrying her and keeping his job.
Cultural Notes for 择
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the act of making a choice is often associated with fate and destiny. The word 择 is frequently used in various sayings and proverbs that emphasize the importance of making wise choices.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, making a selection often involves careful consideration, reflecting the value placed on thoughtful decision-making. For example, the process of choosing a life partner or career is typically approached with great seriousness.
Word Family of 择
Compounds2
箨tuo4bamboo sheath, bamboo shoots
萚
Words Containing This Character20
选择xuǎnzéto select選擇
别无选择to have no other choice別無選擇
抉择to choose (literary)抉擇
择zéto select擇
不择手段bùzéshǒuduànby fair means or foul不擇手段
选择性selective選擇性
选择题multiple-choice question選擇題
择偶to choose a spouse擇偶
物竞天择natural selection物競天擇
饥不择食When matters are urgent, don't spend time choosing alternatives.飢不擇食
口不择言to ramble口不擇言
择定to select擇定
张择端Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145), Song dynasty painter張擇端
天择natural selection天擇
择菜to pick the edible part of vegetables擇菜
择善而从to choose the right course and follow it (idiom)擇善而從
良禽择木a fine bird chooses a tree to nest in (proverb)良禽擇木
择食to be picky (food)擇食
择善固执to choose what is good and hold fast to it (idiom)擇善固執
择日子to pick an auspicious day擇日子
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 箨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 择
择 (zé) and 选 (xuǎn) both mean 'to choose,' but 择 often implies a more careful selection process, while 选 is more general. For example, 择 is used in contexts where differentiation is important, whereas 选 can refer to any choice without that emphasis.
You should use 择 (zé) when you want to emphasize the act of selecting or differentiating among options, particularly in formal or literary contexts. 选择 (xuǎnzé) is more commonly used in everyday conversation and means 'to choose' as well, but with less emphasis on the selective nature.
择 (zé) means 'to select' or 'to choose.' It can be used in various contexts, such as making choices in daily life or picking out options from a list. The character emphasizes the act of differentiation and elimination in the selection process.
To use 择 (zé) in a sentence, you can say '我需要择一个合适的方案' which means 'I need to choose a suitable plan.' This demonstrates how the character can indicate the act of making a selection among different options.
择 emphasizes a more selective process of choosing, while 选择 is a more general term for 'to choose'.
Yes, 择 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in written language.
It is less common in everyday conversation compared to 选择, but still relevant in specific contexts.
