syun2選选
Jyutpingsyun2
Yalesyún
Definition
To choose or select, or to vote and elect.
- to choose; to select from two or more options
- to vote; to elect
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
揀 is the standard, everyday word for choosing or selecting items, while 選 carries a more formal tone often associated with voting or official selection processes. You will hear 選 used in political contexts or when choosing a representative, but for picking lunch or choosing a shirt, 揀 is the natural choice. Using 選 for trivial daily decisions can sound overly serious or slightly stiff.
Examples
Who should we elect as chairman this year?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 選 for all types of choosing, but it sounds unnatural when shopping or making casual decisions. Stick to 揀 for general selection to sound more like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
