選ぶ・撰ぶ・択ぶ|えらぶerabu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
選ぶ選ぶ（えらぶ） is the most common form and the recommended default for learners. Use it when writing or typing the word in ordinary situations.
撰ぶ撰ぶ（えらぶ） is a rarely used variant. You may encounter it in writing, but it is not the form learners should normally choose.
択ぶ択ぶ（えらぶ） is a rarely used variant. Recognize it when encountered, but use 選ぶ（えらぶ） instead for routine writing and typing.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto choose; to select; to pick (out)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 選ぶ（えらぶ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 選びます（えらびます） |
| Negative (nai) | 選ばない（えらばない） |
| polite (masen) | 選びません（えらびません） |
| classical zu / nu | 選ばず・選ばぬ（えらばず・えらばぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 選んだ（えらんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 選びました（えらびました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 選ばなかった（えらばなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 選びませんでした（えらびませんでした） |
| Te form | 選んで（えらんで） |
| Potential | 選べる（えらべる） |
| Passive | 選ばれる（えらばれる） |
| Causative | 選ばせる（えらばせる） |
| Causative passive | 選ばせられる・選ばされる（えらばせられる・えらばされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 選べば（えらべば） |
| tara | 選んだら（えらんだら） |
| Volitional | 選ぼう（えらぼう） |
| polite (mashou) | 選びましょう（えらびましょう） |
| Imperative | 選べ（えらべ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym選るよるWrittenWritten style for picking out what fits from among options; today mostly in 「より好み」 and rarely used alone. In daily speech say 「選ぶ」.
- Synonym選択せんたくWrittenSino-Japanese word for choosing among options, as in 「選択肢」 and 「選択科目」; leans formal, while 「選ぶ」 is more everyday.
- Synonym選び出すえらびだすNeutralPicking out from among many, stressing the act of extraction, as in 「候補を選び出す」; 「選ぶ」 does not highlight the picking-out.
- SynonymセレクトCasualColloquial loanword for selecting, common with goods and services, as in 「セレクトショップ」; everyday speech usually says 「選ぶ」.
- SynonymチョイスCasualColloquial loanword for a choice, as in 「いいチョイスだね」; in more formal settings use 「選ぶ」 or 「選択」.
- Synonym選び取るえらびとるNeutralChoosing and taking for oneself with a sense of resolve, as in 「自分の道を選び取る」; 「選ぶ」 refers only to the act of choosing.
- Synonym選り出すよりだすWrittenWritten word for picking out what is needed from among many; fairly rare. In daily use prefer 「選び出す」 or 「選ぶ」.
- Synonym選り抜くえりぬくWrittenWritten word for selecting only the very best, as in 「えり抜きの選手」; 「選ぶ」 is not limited to picking the best.
- Synonym選りすぐるよりすぐるWrittenWritten word for handpicking the finest, as in 「選りすぐりの品」; it stresses care and choosing top quality more than 「選ぶ」.
- Related選り分けるよりわけるWrittenWritten word for sorting good from bad, as in 「不良品を選り分ける」; 「選ぶ」 just picks what you want, without the separating nuance.
- Related選抜せんばつFormalFormal word for selecting the best from many by set standards, as in 「選抜チーム」 and 「春の選抜」; more formal than 「選ぶ」.
- Related選定せんていFormalFormal word for settling on a choice after careful review, as in 「候補地を選定する」; mostly official use, while 「選ぶ」 fits any occasion.
- Related選考せんこうFormalFormal word for screening and judging, as in 「書類選考」; typical of hiring and award decisions, a process 「選ぶ」 does not imply.
- Related選出せんしゅつFormalFormal word for being chosen for a post or honor, as in 「議員に選出される」 and 「最優秀選手に選出される」.
- Related採択さいたくFormalFormal word for a body formally adopting a bill or choosing textbooks, as in 「決議案を採択する」; 「選ぶ」 has no such restriction and works for individuals and institutions alike.
- Related精選せいせんWrittenWritten word for careful, selective choosing, as in 「精選された素材」; leans toward written, promotional prose, a nuance 「選ぶ」 lacks.
- Related選するせんするWrittenWritten, very rare word for choosing; in everyday speech always use 「選ぶ」 or 「選択する」.
Everyday choosing defaults to 「選ぶ」. For formal talk of options use 「選択」; for picking the best by set standards, 「選抜」; for screening candidates, 「選考」; for being chosen to a post or honor, 「選出」. To handpick the finest, say 「選りすぐる」 or 「精選」; in casual speech, 「チョイス」 is common.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
