เลือก
choose
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- 1 choose、select、elect
A basic verb for choosing from two or more possibilities according to one’s needs, preferences, or criteria. It can also be used for selecting or electing a person for a role.
choose、select、elect
To choose, select, or pick something or someone from a set of possibilities, including choosing a person for a position.
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ฉันยังเลือกไม่ได้ chǎn yaŋ lʉ̂ak mây dâay I still can't decide which one to choose. ฉันยังเลือกไม่ได้ details
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เด็กคนนี้เลือกกิน dèk khon níi lʉ̂ak kin This child is a picky eater. เด็กคนนี้เลือกกิน details
Learning notes
Explanation
เลือก is a very common, general-purpose verb. Its basic pattern is เลือก followed by the thing being chosen: เลือกเสื้อ means “choose clothes,” and เลือกวิธีนี้ means “choose this method.” To choose someone for a role, Thai can use the pattern เลือก + person + เป็น + role. For example, เลือกเขาเป็นหัวหน้า means “choose him as the leader.” เลือกเอง means “choose by oneself,” เลือกได้ means “can choose,” and เลือกไม่ได้ can mean either that choosing is not possible or that someone cannot decide. In expressions such as เลือกกิน and เลือกมาก, the verb can imply being selective or overly particular rather than simply making a choice.
Usage
It is used widely when choosing products or colors while shopping, deciding what to eat, or selecting a school, career, job, or method. It is also used when choosing a leader or representative.
Caution
เลือก describes choosing from available possibilities, while ตัดสินใจ is more natural when the focus is on reaching a decision. For the act of casting a vote, use ลงคะแนนเสียง; for an election as an organized process or event, use เลือกตั้ง. Expressions such as เลือกกิน and เลือกมาก may sound critical when applied directly to someone.
Differences from similar words
1 choose synonyms
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คัดเลือก means to screen or select carefully according to stated criteria and is common with applicants, personnel, or submitted work. เลือก is the broader everyday verb for choosing anything from products and meals to people.
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ตัดสินใจ focuses on making a decision after consideration. เลือก focuses on choosing one or more possibilities from a set of options.