Translation guide
The English phrasal verb 'pick out' has several core meanings: to choose or select, to identify or recognize, to discern or distinguish, and to extract or remove. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these practical meanings, from most common to more niche uses.
To pick out one or more items from a group, often based on preference or suitability.
General verb for 'choose' or 'select'. Works for picking out items, people, options, etc.
好きな本を一冊選んでください。
Please pick out one book you like.
彼はプレゼントを選ぶのに時間がかかった。
He took a long time picking out a present.
Emphasizes the action of picking out from among many, often with care or for a specific purpose.
応募者の中から最適な人材を選び出す。
Pick out the most suitable candidate from the applicants.
Loanword from English 'pick up', used in casual or business contexts for selecting or highlighting items.
気に入った服を何着かピックアップした。
I picked out a few outfits I liked.
To carefully select the best ones; implies a thorough picking out process.
専門家が最高の素材を選り抜いた。
The experts picked out the finest materials.
To pick out someone or something from a crowd, picture, or group by sight or sound.
To distinguish or tell apart; often used for picking out a person or thing visually.
双子の兄弟を見分けるのは難しい。
It's hard to pick out the twin brothers.
彼女は人混みの中からすぐに友達を見分けた。
She quickly picked out her friend in the crowd.
Formal term for identification; used in technical or official contexts.
監視カメラの映像から容疑者を識別した。
They picked out the suspect from the surveillance footage.
To pick out by sound; distinguish by hearing.
To pick out subtle details, patterns, or qualities, often in abstract or sensory contexts.
To see through, perceive the true nature; pick out hidden truths or intentions.
彼女は彼の嘘をすぐに見抜いた。
She quickly picked out his lie.
To pick out by smell; also used metaphorically for sensing something.
To pick out something embedded or stuck, like a splinter or a piece of food.
To pull out or extract; used for physical objects like splinters, thorns, or items from a container.
指に刺さったトゲを抜き取った。
I picked out the splinter from my finger.
To take out; general verb for removing something from somewhere.
To pick out with fingers or tweezers; often for small items.
Avoid directly translating 'pick out' as a single Japanese verb in all contexts. The appropriate verb depends heavily on whether you mean choose, identify, or extract. Using 選ぶ for identifying a person in a photo would sound unnatural.
選ぶ is the general 'choose'. 選び出す adds a nuance of actively picking out from a larger set, often with deliberation. Use 選び出す when you want to emphasize the selection process.
メニューから料理を選ぶ。
Pick a dish from the menu.
たくさんの候補から一人を選び出す。
Pick out one person from many candidates.
この地図で自分の家を見分けられますか？
Can you pick out your house on this map?
彼女はパーティー用に素敵なドレスを選んだ。
She picked out a nice dress for the party.
この魚から骨を抜き取らないといけない。
I need to pick out the bones from this fish.
彼は鳥の鳴き声を聞き分けられる。
He can pick out different bird calls.
犬は匂いを嗅ぎ分けるのが得意だ。
Dogs are good at picking out scents.
財布から小銭を取り出した。
I picked out some coins from my wallet.
彼はサラダからピーマンを摘まみ出した。
He picked out the green peppers from the salad.