====== xuǎnjǔ: 选举 - Election, To Elect ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **Keywords:** xuanju, xuǎnjǔ, 选举, Chinese election, to elect in Chinese, voting in China, Chinese politics, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 5, elect a representative in Chinese
  *   **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **选举 (xuǎnjǔ)**, which means "election" or "to elect". This guide explores its use in both political and everyday contexts, such as electing a class president. Discover the character breakdown, cultural significance of elections in China compared to the West, and see practical examples. This page is an essential resource for understanding how the concept of formal voting and selection is expressed in Mandarin Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xuǎnjǔ
  *   **Part of Speech:** Noun / Verb
  *   **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  *   **Concise Definition:** A formal process of choosing a person for a position or office by voting; an election.
  *   **In a Nutshell:** **选举 (xuǎnjǔ)** is the formal term for "election." While it directly translates to the English word, its application in China carries different cultural and political weight. It's used for everything from national-level political processes to electing a student representative in a classroom. Think of it as any formal process where a group selects an individual for a role through a structured choice, often by voting.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **选 (xuǎn):** To choose, to select, to pick. The character is composed of the 辶 (chuò) radical, meaning "to walk," and a phonetic component. It implies the action of going out and making a selection.
  *   **举 (jǔ):** To lift, to raise, to recommend. The character is a pictograph of a hand (or hands) lifting a heavy object. In the context of an election, it evokes the ancient practice of raising one's hand to vote or "lifting up" a candidate for a position.
  *   The two characters combine to mean "to select by raising up" or "to choose by raising hands," which perfectly captures the essence of a formal election or vote.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The term **选举 (xuǎnjǔ)** offers a fascinating window into the differences between Chinese and Western political and social structures.
In the West, particularly in the US, "election" immediately brings to mind large-scale, multi-party campaigns for public office, like the presidential election. It's fundamentally tied to the idea of competitive, popular democracy where citizens directly choose their top leaders.
In modern China, **选举 (xuǎnjǔ)** has a more nuanced meaning. While China holds elections for local People's Congresses, the process is different. It operates within a single-party system, and candidates are typically vetted and approved by the Communist Party. The concept is framed within "socialist democracy" or "consultative democracy," which emphasizes consensus and orderly selection over direct, multi-party competition for the highest offices. Therefore, while the word is the same, the scope, competitiveness, and societal expectation surrounding a national political **选举** are vastly different.
However, outside of high-level politics, **选举** is used in a way that is very familiar to Westerners. A school **选举** for class president (选举班长) or a homeowners' association **选举** for its committee involves nominations, speeches, and voting. In these micro-contexts, the word functions almost identically to its English counterpart. For a learner, it's crucial to understand that the meaning of **选举** is heavily dependent on whether the context is national politics or a local/organizational vote.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**选举 (xuǎnjǔ)** is a formal term used in specific contexts. You would not use it to "choose" or "select" a restaurant for dinner.
  *   **Political Context:** This is the most formal usage. It refers to official elections for government positions, most commonly for local People's Congress delegates (人民代表大会代表选举). News reports and official documents will use this term.
    *   Example: `全国人民代表大会选举 (Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì xuǎnjǔ)` - National People's Congress election.
  *   **Organizational & Community Context:** This is a very common and practical usage for learners. It applies to any formal vote within a group to select a leader or representative.
    *   Example: `学生会主席选举 (xuéshēnghuì zhǔxí xuǎnjǔ)` - Student council president election.
    *   Example: `公司董事会选举 (gōngsī dǒngshìhuì xuǎnjǔ)` - Company board of directors election.
  *   **As a Verb:** **选举** can be used directly as a verb meaning "to elect."
    *   Example: `我们选举他当班长。(Wǒmen xuǎnjǔ tā dāng bānzhǎng.)` - We elected him to be the class president.
The connotation is generally neutral and formal. It simply describes the process of election.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   美国总统**选举**每四年举行一次。
    *   Pinyin: Měiguó zǒngtǒng **xuǎnjǔ** měi sì nián jǔxíng yī cì.
    *   English: The U.S. presidential election is held once every four years.
    *   Analysis: A straightforward, factual sentence using **选举** as a noun in a political context familiar to English speakers.
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   我们班下周要**选举**新的班长。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒmen bān xià zhōu yào **xuǎnjǔ** xīn de bānzhǎng.
    *   English: Our class is going to elect a new class president next week.
    *   Analysis: This shows **选举** used as a verb in a common, non-political school setting. This is a very practical usage for students to learn.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   在民主国家，公民有**选举**权和被**选举**权。
    *   Pinyin: Zài mínzhǔ guójiā, gōngmín yǒu **xuǎnjǔ**quán hé bèi **xuǎnjǔ**quán.
    *   English: In democratic countries, citizens have the right to vote and the right to be elected.
    *   Analysis: This introduces two key related terms: `选举权 (xuǎnjǔquán)` - the right to elect, and `被选举权 (bèi xuǎnjǔquán)` - the right to be elected.
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   他成功当选，成为了我们村的第一位民选村长。这次**选举**很成功。
    *   Pinyin: Tā chénggōng dāngxuǎn, chéngwéi le wǒmen cūn de dì-yī wèi mínxuǎn cūnzhǎng. Zhè cì **xuǎnjǔ** hěn chénggōng.
    *   English: He was successfully elected and became our village's first popularly elected village chief. This election was very successful.
    *   Analysis: This sentence shows the result of an **选举** and uses the related term `当选 (dāngxuǎn)` - to be elected. It refers to local, grassroots elections that happen in China.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   所有候选人都需要为即将到来的**选举**做准备。
    *   Pinyin: Suǒyǒu hòuxuǎnrén dōu xūyào wèi jíjiāng dàolái de **xuǎnjǔ** zuò zhǔnbèi.
    *   English: All the candidates need to prepare for the upcoming election.
    *   Analysis: This sentence introduces the important related noun `候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén)`, meaning "candidate."
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   这次**选举**的投票率非常高。
    *   Pinyin: Zhè cì **xuǎnjǔ** de tóupiàolǜ fēicháng gāo.
    *   English: The voter turnout for this election was very high.
    *   Analysis: This example connects **选举** with the concept of voting and turnout, using the term `投票率 (tóupiàolǜ)`.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   工会正在**选举**新的领导团队。
    *   Pinyin: Gōnghuì zhèngzài **xuǎnjǔ** xīn de lǐngdǎo tuánduì.
    *   English: The labor union is currently electing a new leadership team.
    *   Analysis: This shows the word's use in an organizational context, outside of government or school.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   他们**选举**李女士作为公司的代表。
    *   Pinyin: Tāmen **xuǎnjǔ** Lǐ nǚshì zuòwéi gōngsī de dàibiǎo.
    *   English: They elected Ms. Li as the company's representative.
    *   Analysis: A clear example of **选举** used as a verb, with the structure `选举 + Person + 作为 (zuòwéi) + Position`.
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   **选举**过程必须是公平和透明的。
    *   Pinyin: **Xuǎnjǔ** guòchéng bìxū shì gōngpíng hé tòumíng de.
    *   English: The election process must be fair and transparent.
    *   Analysis: This sentence describes the ideal characteristics of an **选举**, using common adjectives `公平 (gōngpíng)` and `透明 (tòumíng)`.
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   他对**选举**结果表示怀疑。
    *   Pinyin: Tā duì **xuǎnjǔ** jiéguǒ biǎoshì huáiyí.
    *   English: He expressed doubts about the election results.
    *   Analysis: Shows how to talk about the outcome or "results" `(结果 jiéguǒ)` of an **选举**, including in a negative or questioning context.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **`选举 (xuǎnjǔ)` vs. `选择 (xuǎnzé)`:** This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    *   **选举 (xuǎnjǔ)** is a formal process of electing a person to a position, usually through a vote. It's about selecting a representative or leader.
    *   **选择 (xuǎnzé)** means "to choose" or "to select" in a general sense. It can be used for anything: food, clothes, a movie, a career path, a life partner.
    *   **Incorrect:** `我选举了红色的衬衫。` (Wǒ xuǎnjǔ le hóngsè de chènshān.) - I "elected" the red shirt.
    *   **Correct:** `我选择了红色的衬衫。` (Wǒ xuǎnzé le hóngsè de chènshān.) - I chose the red shirt.
    *   **Rule of Thumb:** If you are choosing a *person* for an *official role* through a *formal process* (like voting), use **选举**. For all other choices, use **选择**.
  *   **Assuming Identical Political Context:** A major pitfall is assuming a Chinese **选举** functions exactly like a presidential election in a Western country. As explained in the cultural context section, the political systems are different, which changes the nature of national-level elections. Be mindful of this when discussing politics to avoid misunderstandings.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[投票]] (tóupiào) - To vote; to cast a ballot. This is the primary action performed during an **选举**.
  *   [[候选人]] (hòuxuǎnrén) - Candidate. The person or people who are running in an **选举**.
  *   [[选民]] (xuǎnmín) - Voter; constituent. The people who are eligible to vote in an **选举**.
  *   [[竞选]] (jìngxuǎn) - To campaign; to run for office. The competitive process of trying to win an **选举**.
  *   [[当选]] (dāngxuǎn) - To be elected; to win an election. The successful outcome of an **选举** for a candidate.
  *   [[民主]] (mínzhǔ) - Democracy. The political ideology most often associated with the concept of **选举**.
  *   [[代表]] (dàibiǎo) - Representative; delegate. A common position that is filled through an **选举**.
  *   [[主席]] (zhǔxí) - Chairman; president. A leadership title often decided by an **选举**.
  *   [[政府]] (zhèngfǔ) - Government. The institution often formed and populated through **选举**.
  *   [[选择]] (xuǎnzé) - To choose; to select. A general-purpose verb and noun that is often confused with the more specific **选举**.