大选

• Pinyin: dà xuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = big; 选 = 辶 (walk) + 先 (first), meaning to select

Meaning

General election; national election. A noun referring to major nationwide elections, typically for a country's president or parliament.

Used specifically for significant national-level elections as opposed to local or by-elections. Common in news reporting about electoral politics worldwide. Can be used as a verb meaning 'to hold a general election.'

Examples

1. 美国大选每四年举行一次，今年的选情格外激烈。 The U.S. presidential election is held every four years, and this year's race is particularly intense.
2. 下个月就要大选了，各党派都在抓紧时间拉票。 The general election is next month — all parties are scrambling to win votes.
3. 大选结果出来后，新政府将面临严峻的经济挑战。 After the election results come out, the new government will face serious economic challenges.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, news, international affairs

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 大选在即，民众高度关注。(With the election approaching, the public is highly attentive.)
• 他在大选中获胜。(He won the general election.)

Don't Say

• 我们班要大选班长 (大选 is for national elections — use 选举 or just 选 for class elections)

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big, major) + 选 (election). Refers to elections of national significance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal