choose

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 択 has 7 strokes and the on-reading たく. 選択 (せんたく) and 採択 (さいたく) express choosing.
• Basic usage: 選択 means choosing among possibilities; 採択 means accepting a proposal or work after discussion or review.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Choosing an option and adopting a proposal
  • 安全なほうを選択した means chose the safer of two paths. 進路の選択 refers to choosing one's future course.
  • 新しい案が採択された passively states that a new proposal was adopted. 作品の採択理由 means the judges' reasons for selecting and accepting the work.