elegir

to choose

verb eh-leh-HEER Less Common

Origin: From Latin eligere (to select, pick out).

Also means

to elect

Usage Note

Elegir is an e→i stem-changing verb: elijo, eliges, elige… The -g- softens to -j- before -o and -a (elijo, elijamos). It covers both casual choosing ('choose a dish') and formal election of officials. The related adjective elegido ('chosen, elected') and noun elección share the same root.

Examples

"Puedes elegir el color que prefieras."

Natural Translation

You can choose whatever color you prefer.

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