The word 选择 is formed through the process of compound formation, specifically by combining two independent, synonymous characters, 选 (xuǎn, meaning "to pick" or "elect") and 择 (zé, meaning "to choose" or "select"). This method of pairing characters with similar meanings creates a single, reinforced concept, resulting in a term whose combined meaning ("to choose" or "choice") is more comprehensive and nuanced than either character alone, a classic example of a coordinative compound in Chinese word formation.