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March 24, 2026
擇zé(ze2)
The character 擇 (zé) means 'to select' or 'to choose'. It is commonly used in contexts where decisions are made, such as selecting an option, making a choice, or choosing between alternatives. The nuance of this character often implies a careful or deliberate process in the selection.
Strokes16Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, the act of choosing wisely is seen as a virtue, reflecting one's character and moral integrity. This idea is embodied in the character 擇, highlighting the cultural significance of thoughtful decision-making.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person at a market, carefully choosing the best fruits. The character 擇 looks like a person (the left part) selecting (the right part) from a variety of options, emphasizing the act of choosing with care.
Meanings of 擇
zé(ze2)
1to select, to choose
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 擇
擇Simplified
16Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 擇
Podcast: 擇
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AI Study Notes for 擇
Quick Contrast
挑 (tiāo) — use 擇 (zé) when emphasizing a careful selection process, while 挑 (tiāo) suggests a more casual picking or choosing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person at a market, carefully choosing the best fruits. The character 擇 looks like a person (the left part) selecting (the right part) from a variety of options, emphasizing the act of choosing with care.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 擇 with 选 (xuǎn), which also means 'to choose' but is more casual and can imply a quicker selection process. Use 擇 in more formal contexts or when emphasizing the importance of careful choice. Be mindful of the correct tone, as it is pronounced with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 擇 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other words related to decision-making, such as 选择 (xuǎnzé, to choose) and 决定 (juédìng, to decide). Students should focus on differentiating it from similar terms and understanding its use in formal language.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, the act of choosing wisely is seen as a virtue, reflecting one's character and moral integrity. This idea is embodied in the character 擇, highlighting the cultural significance of thoughtful decision-making.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 选 in place of 擇 in formal contexts, such as in academic writing or speeches. For example, saying '我选了一份报告' instead of '我擇了一份报告' can diminish the perceived care taken in the choice.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 擇
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
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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Cultural Notes for 擇
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, the act of choosing wisely is seen as a virtue, reflecting one's character and moral integrity. This idea is embodied in the character 擇, highlighting the cultural significance of thoughtful decision-making.
Word Family of 擇
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 选择 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 擇
You can use 擇 in sentences like '我擇了一本好書' (I chose a good book), to emphasize the care in your selection.
While it can be used in conversation, it is more common in formal writing or discussions about important decisions.
擇 implies a more thoughtful, deliberate choice, while 选 is more casual and can refer to quicker selections.
