1.
option; choice; alternative
One of several possible courses of action or answers to choose from. Originally used for multiple-choice answers on tests, now commonly used for options in any decision-making context.
選択肢は三つある。
There are three options.
その選択肢は最初から除外されていた。
That option had been excluded from the start.
転職も一つの選択肢として考えているが、まだ決心がつかない。
I am considering changing jobs as one option, but I haven't made up my mind yet.
選択肢 is a compound of 選択 (selection, choice) and 肢 (branch, limb — here meaning a branch of choices).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 選択肢がある (there are options)
- 選択肢を増やす (to increase options)
- 選択肢を狭める (to narrow options)
- 選択肢の一つ (one of the options)
- 選択肢から選ぶ (to choose from options)
Originally a test/exam term for the individual answer choices in a multiple-choice question, but now widely used in everyday conversation and writing for any set of alternatives in a decision. Very common in business discussions, career planning, and life decisions.