撰せんする

せ

ん

す

る

Meanings

1

suru verb (special), transitive verb

Used for writing prose, essays, or literary works, often with a formal or literary tone. The object is typically a piece of writing.

彼かれは随ずい筆ひつを撰せんするのが趣しゅ味みだ。
His hobby is writing essays.

2

suru verb (special), transitive verb

compile

; edit

Used for compiling or editing an anthology, collection, or similar work. The object is the resulting compilation.

彼かれは古こ典てん和わ歌か集しゅうを撰せんする事じ業ぎょうに携たずさわった。
He was involved in the project of compiling a classical waka anthology.

Written forms

撰するUsage50%
- せんする
  Standard kanji spelling for both senses. The reading ぜんする is a rare voiced variant.
- ぜんする
せんするUsage50%
Kana spelling used when the kanji 撰 is considered difficult or when the writer prefers kana.
ぜんする

Kanji

撰composing, editing, compiling

Similar words

書かく
書く is the general word for 'write' and is neutral in register. 撰する is more formal and often implies careful selection or literary composition.
編へん集しゅうする
編集する is the common word for 'edit' or 'compile' in modern contexts. 撰する is more literary and often used for anthologies or classical collections.

Etymology

The kanji 撰 means 'select' or 'compile'. The verb 撰する likely derives from the kanji's meaning, emphasizing the act of selecting and arranging written material. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.