How to say "election" in Japanese

• 選挙せんきょJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe usual word for an election as an event or process, especially one in which people vote to choose representatives or officials; this is the word you want for most senses of 'election'.
  その県知事けんちじは７月がつの選挙せんきょで勝利しょうりをおさめました。↗

  The prefectural governor got the upper hand in the July elections.
• 選出せんしゅつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the act of electing or selecting a person rather than the election event; it points to the choosing of someone for a position, so it is not the everyday word for an election.
  彼かれは国会こっかいへ選出せんしゅつされた。↗

  He has been elected to Congress.
• 選任せんにんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbReally about nominating or appointing a person to a position; its 'election' sense is limited to choosing someone for a post, so it is seldom the word you want for an election generally.
• 改選かいせんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers only the narrow sense of an election for a seat or position at the end of a term — in effect a re-election; not a general word for elections.
  今日きょうの議題ぎだいは生徒会せいとかいの改選かいせんについてです。誰だれか立候補りっこうほしたい人ひとがいたら手てを挙あげてください。↗

  Today's agenda concerns the re-election of the student council. If anybody wishes to stand as a candidate, please raise your hand.
• 選せんCommon
  noun, noun (suffix)This means selection or choice — the act of picking — and is seldom the word you want for 'election'; it appears chiefly as an element of other words rather than on its own.

Use 選挙 for an ordinary election; 選出 for electing or selecting a person; 選任 for nominating someone to a post; 改選 for an election at the end of a term; 選 is not a standalone election word.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 選挙せんきょelection
• 選出せんしゅつelection
• 選任せんにんnomination (of a person to a position)
• 改選かいせんelection (for a seat or position at the end of a term)
• 選せんselection
• エレクションelection