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Kotomora

択

choose, select, elect, prefer

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • タク

Kun'yomi

  • えら.ぶ

Meaning

択 centers on choosing one option from several: selecting, electing, or preferring one thing over another.

Most common words using 択

20 of 91

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Study

Etymology

択 is the modern simplified form of 擇. The older form combines 扌 (hand) with 睪, which likely contributed the sound and helped express selecting or picking by hand.

Meaning mnemonic

The modern form has a hand 扌 beside 尺, like a hand choosing the best ruler from a set of measuring tools.

Reading mnemonic

For タク, picture choosing a tack from a box of thumbtacks: tack -> タク, and your hand picks the right one.