votar
/boˈtaɾ/
The Spanish word for 'vote' is votar.
Votar is the most common and straightforward term used to describe the act of voting. To express support for a specific person or thing, use the construction votar a favor de algo/alguien or the prepositional phrase votar por alguien. In official or legal settings, you may encounter the expression Emitir un voto, which means 'to cast a vote'.
Meaning: formalised choice (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the term marcar is used in addition to votar to specifically reflect the act of marking a choice on a ballot.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb for the action is votar. If you want to use the noun form, the singular 'vote' is voto and the plural 'votes' is votos.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse votar with botar. While they sound similar, botar means 'to throw away' or 'to bounce' (as in a ball).
Did you know?
- The word voto can be used in a religious context to mean 'a vow'. This allows a person to make a voto de silencio meaning 'a vow of silence', which has nothing to do with elections.
- The word votar shares its Latin ancestor with the English word 'vow', as both relate to making a solemn or formal commitment.
- In a political context, a 'voto en blanco' is not a wasted vote, but a specific, legal way to signal that a voter is dissatisfied with all candidates.
Examples in context
- Podría votar por Tom.I might vote for Tom.This sentence shows how to express a possibility of voting for a person using votar.Tatoeba #3805359 by cueyayotl, translation #2387232 by CK
- ¿Tenés edad para votar?Are you old enough to vote?This question uses votar to ask about being of legal age to vote.Tatoeba #1290644 by hayastan, translation #279684 by CK
- ¿Por quién vas a votar?Who are you going to vote for?This is a common way to ask someone who their intended choice is using votar.Tatoeba #6714899 by UsuarioX, translation #4015842 by CK
- Voté a favor del nuevo proyectoI voted in favor of the new project
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing an upcoming election.
- MaríaMañana es el día de votar.Tomorrow is the day to vote.
- AlejandroSí, ya tengo mi documento listo.Yes, I already have my ID ready.
- María¿Sabes dónde tienes que votar, Alejandro?Do you know where you have to vote, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, voy a la escuela local.Yes, I am going to the local school.
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.
