| 当選 (tousen) | 選挙 (senkyo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Winning an election / being elected | Election (the event/process) |
| Type | Noun / verb (当選する) | Noun |
| Focus | The outcome for an individual | The collective democratic process |
| Example | 候補者が当選した | 選挙が行われた |
YukaWhat’s the difference between 当選 and 選挙? I see both in the news.
Rei選挙 is the election itself — the event where people vote. 当選 is the result for a candidate — winning or being elected. One is the process, the other is the outcome!
What Does 当選 (tousen) Mean?
当選 means winning an election, being elected, or being chosen (including lottery wins). It is a noun that also works as a verb with する. It focuses on the outcome for an individual candidate or winner.
- 彼は市長に当選した。 — He was elected mayor.
- 当選おめでとうございます。 — Congratulations on your election!
- 抽選に当選した。 — I won the lottery/raffle.
- 当選者が発表された。 — The winner was announced.
What Does 選挙 (senkyo) Mean?
選挙 means election — the formal process of voting to choose a representative or leader. It is a noun referring to the event itself. It can refer to any election: national, local, student council, or organizational.
- 来月、選挙がある。 — There is an election next month.
- 選挙に参加する。 — To participate in the election.
- 選挙結果が出た。 — The election results came out.
- 選挙運動を行う。 — To conduct an election campaign.
Related Election Vocabulary
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 選挙 | senkyo | Election (the event) |
| 当選 | tousen | Winning / being elected |
| 落選 | rakusen | Losing an election |
| 候補者 | kouhosha | Candidate |
| 投票 | touhyou | Voting / casting a ballot |
| 有権者 | yuukensha | Eligible voter |
| 選挙運動 | senkyo undou | Election campaign |
YukaWhat’s the opposite of 当選?
Rei落選 (rakusen) — losing an election or being eliminated. 当選 (win) vs 落選 (lose). You can remember them as: 当 = hitting the target, 落 = falling.
Common Mistakes
- Don’t confuse the process and the outcome: 選挙に当選した — correct (won the election); ✗ 当選に参加した — wrong (you participate in 選挙, not 当選).
- 当選 can also refer to lottery/raffle wins, not just elections: 懸賞に当選した (won a prize/contest).
- 投票 (touhyou) = voting — the act of casting a ballot; don’t confuse with 選挙 (the election event overall).
Quick Quiz
Fill in: 当選 or 選挙?
- 1. ___は来週火曜日に行われます。 (The election will be held next Tuesday.)
- 2. 彼女は国会議員に___した。 (She was elected to parliament.)
- 3. ___結果を見るためにテレビをつけた。 (I turned on the TV to watch the election results.)
- 4. プレゼントの抽選で___した！ (I won the gift raffle!)
Answers: 1. 選挙 2. 当選 3. 選挙 4. 当選
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Summary
| 当選 | 選挙 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Winning / being elected | The election (event/process) |
| Focus | Individual outcome | Collective democratic event |
| Opposite | 落選 (rakusen = losing) | N/A |
