Definitions

jué to pick out; to single out

Etymology

To choose  by hand  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "抉" is structured as a semantic-phonetic compound, integrating the hand radical (扌) to indicate manual action with the component "夬" which provides phonetic guidance and contributes a sense of decisive breaking or opening. Its original meaning involved the physical act of gouging or extracting, as evidenced in early texts where it described removing eyes or digging out objects. Over time, this concrete sense evolved to encompass more abstract applications, such as selecting between options or exposing hidden truths, which is reflected in its contemporary use within compounds like "抉择" for decision-making. The consistent composition underscores its enduring link to active intervention, while the phonetic element continues to inform both its sound and its semantic association with resolution and revelation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他面临重要择。

Tā miànlín zhòngyào juézé.

He faces an important choice.

我们需要慎重择。

Wǒmen xūyào shènzhòng juézé.

We need to choose carefully.

在困难中择不易。

Zài kùnnan zhōng juézé bù yì.

It is not easy to make a choice in difficult times.

她终于择了未来道路。

Tā zhōngyú juézéle wèilái dàolù.

She finally chose her future path.

面对两个机会,他择了很久。

Miàn duì liǎng gè jīhuì, tā juézéle hěnjiǔ.

Facing two opportunities, he deliberated for a long time.

人生的择往往影响一生。

Rénshēng de juézé wǎngwǎng yǐngxiǎng yīshēng.

Life's choices often affect one's entire life.

如果必须择,我会选前者。

Rúguǒ bìxū juézé, wǒ huì xuǎn qiánzhě.

If I must choose, I will choose the former.

在道德与利益之间择是艰难的。

Zài dàodé yǔ lìyì zhī jiān juézé shì jiānnán de.

Choosing between morality and interest is difficult.