選 means “choose, elect”

えらぶ · erabu

Also: select, prefer

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

えらぶ, える, よる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 4 · 15 strokes

The story

Picture two kneeling figures (己己) set out on a stand (共) and someone walking past (辶) to pick one. 選ぶ is to choose, a 選手 is an athlete picked for the team, and a 選挙 is a whole country choosing at once.

Used in 選ぶ (erabu, to choose), 選手 (senshu, athlete/player), and 選挙 (senkyo, election)

More from Council & Debate

• 決 decide
• 反 against
• 判 judgment
• 認 recognize
• 参 join
• 論 argument
• 投 throw
• 談 talk
• 可 possible
• 断 refuse
• 否 no
• 許 permit

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.