to choose
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to choose
To select one or more things or people from a group that you would like to have. The reflexive form 'sich etwas aussuchen' is often used.
Für deinen Geburtstag darfst du dir ein Geschenk aussuchen.
For your birthday, you may choose a present for yourself.
'Aussuchen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich suche mir ein schönes Hemd für die Party aus.
I'm choosing a nice shirt for the party.
'Aussuchen' is very often used reflexively: 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) aussuchen'. The dative pronoun (mir, dir, sich) emphasizes for whom the choice is being made.
Du darfst dir aussuchen, was wir heute Abend essen.
You may choose what we eat this evening.
The verb consists of the prefix 'aus-' and the verb 'suchen' (to search/look for). While 'suchen' describes finding or looking for something, 'aussuchen' emphasizes the deliberate choice from several options.
Aus all den Bewerbern haben wir die beste Kandidatin ausgesucht.
From all the applicants, we chose the best candidate.
to vote / choose / dial
Both verbs mean selecting one thing from several possibilities. „Wählen“ is more general and often somewhat more abstract or formal, while „aussuchen“ usually refers to making a concrete choice based on personal preference. For a specific everyday item, „sich etwas aussuchen“ is therefore often the better choice.
Im Geschäft suchte ich mir ein schlichtes Hemd aus.
I picked out a simple shirt at the store.
Für die Präsentation wählte ich ein schlichtes Thema.
I chose a simple topic for the presentation.
