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抉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
抉juéto select, to choose; to pluck, to gougezg, 7 strokes, radical 扌
抉juéto pick outunknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌
抉juéto single outunknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌
jué(jue2)jue T2
  1. 1to select, to choose; to pluck, to gouge
  2. 2to pick out
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March 24, 2026

抉jué(jue2)

The character 抉 (jué) means to select or choose something, often with a sense of discernment or careful decision-making. It can also refer to the physical action of plucking or gouging out, suggesting a more forceful or deliberate action. This character is commonly used in contexts where one needs to make a choice or pick something out from a group.

Strokes7Radical扌
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the act of selecting or choosing is often linked to the importance of quality and discernment, especially in contexts like tea selection or food choices, where 抉 reflects the value placed on making thoughtful decisions.

Memory tip

Imagine a hand (represented by the left radical 扌) carefully picking out the best fruit (the meaning of 抉) from a tree. Visualize the hand reaching in and 'gouging out' the perfect piece, emphasizing the action of selection and the sound 'jué' as you choose your favorite choice.

Meanings of 抉

jué(jue2)
1to select, to choose; to pluck, to gouge
2to pick out
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 抉

抉Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 抉

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Podcast: 抉

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AI study notes for 抉

Quick Contrast

选择 (xuǎnzé) vs 挑选 (tiāoxuǎn) — use 抉 for a more deliberate or discerning choice, while 选择 is broader and can imply any selection, and 挑选 emphasizes the act of picking out.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 抉 with other similar-sounding characters like 绝 (jué), which means 'to cut off' or 'to be absolutely'. It's important to use 抉 in contexts involving selection or careful picking. This character is more formal and can often be found in written texts rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 抉 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK 4 and 5 vocabulary focused on decision-making and actions. Students should focus on the nuances between similar characters and practice using 抉 in sentences about choices and preferences.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 抉 interchangeably with 选择 (xuǎnzé). For example, saying '我抉这个' (Wǒ jué zhège) instead of '我选择这个' (Wǒ xuǎnzé zhège) can sound awkward. It's crucial to reserve 抉 for contexts involving careful selection.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 抉

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Etymology of 抉

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

To choose 夬 by hand 扌; 夬 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 抉?

Decomposition of 抉

IDS Structure⿰扌夬
抉Full character
=
扌shou3
left
夬guai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 抉?

How to say to select, to choose; to pluck, to gouge in Chinese

“to select, to choose; to pluck, to gouge” in Chinese is抉jué

The character 抉 (jué) means to select or choose something, often with a sense of discernment or careful decision-making. It can also refer to the physical action of plucking or gouging out, suggesting a more forceful or deliberate action. This character is commonly used in contexts where one needs to make a choice or pick something out from a group.

When to use 抉

Learners often confuse 抉 with other similar-sounding characters like 绝 (jué), which means 'to cut off' or 'to be absolutely'. It's important to use 抉 in contexts involving selection or careful picking. This character is more formal and can often be found in written texts rather than everyday conversation.

抉 or something close to it

选择 (xuǎnzé) vs 挑选 (tiāoxuǎn) — use 抉 for a more deliberate or discerning choice, while 选择 is broader and can imply any selection, and 挑选 emphasizes the act of picking out.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 抉 interchangeably with 选择 (xuǎnzé). For example, saying '我抉这个' (Wǒ jué zhège) instead of '我选择这个' (Wǒ xuǎnzé zhège) can sound awkward. It's crucial to reserve 抉 for contexts involving careful selection.

Write 抉

抉

Practice writing 抉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 抉

抉 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

罗布在做医生还是当运动员之间痛苦____择,左右为难。

Robb is torn between becoming a doctor and a career in athletics.

Example sentences for 抉 (3)

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1
罗布在做医生还是当运动员之间痛苦抉择,左右为难。

luō bù zài zuò yīshēng háishi dāng yùndòngyuán zhījiān tòngkǔ juézé, zuǒyòu wéinán。

Robb is torn between becoming a doctor and a career in athletics.
2
历史和地理因素共同将希腊推至作出抉择的紧要关头。

lìshǐ hé dìlǐ yīnsù gòngtóng jiāng xī là tuī zhì zuòchū juézé de jǐn yào guāntóu。

History and geography have conspired to bring Greece to a moment of decision.
3
两幢房子都这么漂亮,让人难以做出抉择.

liǎng chuáng fángzi dōu zhème piàoliang, ràng rén nányǐ zuò chū juézé.

It is difficult to choose between two such nice houses.

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Word Family of 抉

Words containing this character2
抉择to choose (literary)抉擇
抉juéto pick out
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 抉

What does 抉择 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 抉

The pronunciation is 'jué', with a rising tone.

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