votar
/voˈta(ʁ)/
The English word 'vote' translates to Portuguese as votar.
votar can be used as a verb meaning to assert a formalised choice. In official or legal contexts, the process of counting the votes is referred to as escrutínio.
Meaning: formalised choice (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express the person or option you are voting for, the verb votar is typically followed by the preposition em. If you wish to use 'vote' as a noun, the word is voto. To express that someone has already voted in the third-person singular past tense, use votou.
How do you pronounce it?
/voˈta(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- Brazil is one of the few countries in the world where votar is mandatory for literate citizens between 18 and 70, and failing to do so can result in problems with passports or government jobs.
- The verb votar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'vow', both stemming from the Latin 'voveo', meaning to promise or promise devotion.
- Portuguese speakers use the word voto in the phrase voto de silêncio, which describes a 'vow of silence' taken by monks or individuals in retreat.
Examples in context
- Eu votarei em Tom.I'll vote for Tom.This sentence is useful for showing how to use votar to express voting for a specific person.Tatoeba #5205806 by ajdavidl, translation #5203960 by CK
- Você não vai votar?Aren't you going to vote?This sentence is useful for asking a question about the intention to use votar.Tatoeba #6109978 by Wagner1994, translation #6108833 by CK
- Por que devo votar?Why should I vote?This sentence is useful for asking for the reason to use votar.Tatoeba #9179977 by bill, translation #9179934 by DJ_Saidez
- O dever cívico de todos os cidadãos é votar nas eleições.The civic duty of all citizens is to vote in elections.
- Todos devem eleger seus representantes por meio do voto nas urnas.Everyone should elect their representatives through voting in the ballot boxes.
- Ei, você já votou?Hey, have you voted yet?
- Eu vou dar o meu voto para o candidato.I'm going to give my vote to the candidate.
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are discussing an upcoming election.
- FelipeVocê já sabe em quem vai votar?Do you already know who you are going to vote for?
- MarianaAinda estou em dúvida entre dois candidatos.I'm still undecided between two candidates.
- FelipeEu vou votar no candidato do partido verde.I am going to vote for the green party candidate.
- MarianaEle parece ser uma boa escolha, Felipe.He seems to be a good choice, Felipe.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry votar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries votar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
