Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 投票 | tau⁴ piu³ |
| 表決 / 表决 | biu² kyut³ |
The term 投票 is the general way to say 'vote' or 'to cast a ballot'. To specify whom or what you are voting for, you use the construction 投票畀 followed by the recipient. For example, 我投票畀你 means 'I vote for you'. To ask if someone has already cast their vote, you can say 你投票未? ('Have you voted?').
What does it mean word for word?
The word 投票 is composed of 投 (tau4), meaning to throw or cast and 票 (piu3), meaning a ballot or ticket.
Which one should you use?
While 投票 is the general term for the act of casting a vote, 表決 (biu2 kyut3) is used specifically when referring to the act of voting to reach a decision or a resolution, such as in formal meetings or legislative discussions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the idea of voting for a specific person or thing, use the construction 投票俾 (tau4 piu3 bei2) followed by the recipient.
How do you pronounce it?
投票 is pronounced tau4 piu3.
Did you know?
- When talking about a 'vote' in a casual setting like a group chat, Cantonese speakers often use the English word 'vote' mixed into the sentence.
- The word 票 (piu3) used in 投票 does not just mean 'ballot' but also 'ticket' for a bus, train or cinema.
- In old Chinese customs, voting was sometimes done with bamboo slips before the paper 票 (piu3) became the standard.
Examples in context
- 我冇投票俾你。I didn't vote for you.This sentence is useful for expressing who you did not vote for using 投票.Tatoeba #7009425 by nickyeow, translation #3917149 by CK
- 我投你啦!I vote for you!
- 我依家要去投票。I'm going to vote now.
- 佢昨日已經投票晒。He/she has already voted yesterday.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a company decision at the office.
- 志強 Chi Keung關於公司嘅計劃，你有冇投票？gwaan1 jyu1 gung1 si1 ge3 gai3 waak6, nei5 jau5 mou5 tau3 pin3?Did you vote on the company's plan?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我有，我投咗贊成票。ngo5 jau5, ngo5 tau2 zo2 zaan3 sing4 piu3.I did, I cast a vote in favor.
- 志強 Chi Keung曉彤，你覺得個投票結果點？hiu2 tung4, nei5 gok3 dak1 go3 tau3 pin3 git3 guet2 dim2?曉彤, what do you think of the voting result?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我覺得個結果好合理。ngo5 gok3 dak1 go3 git3 guet2 hou2 hap6 lei5.I think the result is very reasonable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vote” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
