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Kotomora

擢

excel in, surpass, pull out, select

StatusJinmeiyōStrokes17

Readings

On'yomi

  • テキ
  • タク

Kun'yomi

  • ぬ.く
  • ぬき.んでる

Meaning

擢 centers on pulling something out from a group, whether physically extracting it or figuratively selecting someone who stands out. The ideas of excelling and surpassing follow naturally from being the one chosen or pulled ahead.

Most common words using 擢

  • 抜擢ばってき

    selection (from many people for an important position); exceptional promotion

  • 大抜擢だいばってき

    very surprising choice (for a role, promotion, etc.); unexpected appointment

  • 擢用てきよう

    selection

Explore all words using 擢 →

Study

Etymology

擢 combines 扌 (hand) with 翟, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of pulling out or selecting. The exact historical development of 翟 within this character is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The hand 扌 beside 翟 suggests a hand reaching into a group to pull out the best one. Imagine plucking a standout feather from a bird's tail: you select and extract it.

Reading mnemonic

For テキ, imagine a hand pulling out a winning ticket from a box: ticket -> テキ, and the hand selects the one that excels.