How to Say "Vote" in Japanese

投票

tōhyō[to̞ːço̞ː]

The Japanese word for the noun 投票 (tōhyō) is the English phrase 'vote'.

投票 refers to a formalized choice. For example, the word 投票箱 is used specifically to refer to a ballot box.

Meaning: formalised choice (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The noun 投票 is composed of the characters 投 (to throw/cast) and 表 (expression/surface/mark).

To use this as a verb meaning 'to vote', you add the verb する (to do) to the noun, creating 投票する.

tōhyō

Japanese culture emphasizes consensus over the winner-take-all nature of 投票. In many workplaces, a formal vote is avoided in favor of 根回し (nemawashi), the process of quietly consulting all parties before a decision is officially made.
The word 投票 can be used in non-political contexts, such as choosing a favorite character in an anime or idol group. These are often called 総選挙 (general elections), treating fan polls with the same gravity as national politics.
In certain informal settings, such as voting for a favorite food in a magazine, the term アンケート (ankēto) is often used instead of 投票.

投票に行く？
Are you going to vote?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone is going to vote using 投票.
Tatoeba #8764339 by bunbuku, translation #8311553 by CK
私に投票して！
Vote for me!
This sentence is useful for asking someone to vote for you using 投票.
Tatoeba #9032656 by small_snow, translation #2484926 by AlanF_US
我々は投票で決めた。
We decided by vote.
This sentence is useful for stating a decision was made by vote using 投票.
Tatoeba #185660 by bunbuku, translation #22793 by dominiko
国民は選挙で投票する権利を持っています。
Citizens have the right to vote in elections.
内閣は法案に対する採決を行いました。
The cabinet conducted a vote on the bill.
明日のパーティの場所を決める投票に参加しましょう！
Let's participate in the vote to decide tomorrow's party location!
友達のアイデアに投票してみよう！
Let's vote for our friend's idea!
27 more sentences on Tatoeba

At a school club meeting, they are deciding on a new activity.

陽太 Yota

次の活動について、投票を行いたいと思います。
Tsugi no katsudou ni tsuite, touhyou o okonaitai to omoimasu.
I would like to hold a vote regarding our next activity.
結衣 Yui

はい、賛成です。
Hai, sansei desu.
Yes, I agree.
陽太 Yota

結衣さんは、どの案がいいですか？
Yui-san wa, dono an ga ii desu ka?
Yui, which plan do you like?
結衣 Yui

私は、キャンプの案に投票します。
Watashi wa, kyanpu no an ni touhyou shimasu.
I will vote for the camping plan.

Sources

Wiktionary, “vote” translations and entries 投票, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏