votar en contra
/botaɾ en kontɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "vote out" is translated into Spanish as votar en contra.
The phrase is used when casting a vote against a person or a proposal specifically to remove them from a position. In highly formal contexts, you might instead use the phrases Expulsar mediante votación to mean "expel through voting" or Destituir por medio de votos to mean "to dismiss through votes".
How do you pronounce it?
/botaɾ en kontɾa/
Did you know?
- The word votar sounds identical to botar, which means 'to throw away' or 'to bounce'. In some regions, people make puns by using botar when someone is voted out, implying they are being thrown out like trash.
- The word votar is a cognate of the English 'vote', both descending from the Latin 'votum', which originally referred to a 'vow' or 'promise' made to a deity.
- In certain Spanish-speaking political contexts, rather than saying votar en contra, people use the term censura to describe a specific vote aimed at removing an official from power.
Examples in context
- La junta directiva decidió expulsar al presidente mediante votación.The board decided to vote out the president.
- El parlamento destituyó al ministro mediante votos.The parliament voted out the minister.
- Decidimos echar al líder del grupo mediante votación.We decided to vote out the group's leader.
- La población decidió botar al político a través de la votación.The population decided to vote out the politician.
- La asamblea decidió expulsar al presidente por votos.The assembly decided to vote out the president.
- Decidieron votar en contra del nuevo presidente.They decided to vote against the new president.
- Muchos miembros van a votar en contra de él.Many members are going to vote against him.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a local political meeting.
- Mateo¿Vas a votar en contra del director?Are you going to vote against the director?
- ElenaSí, Mateo, voy a votar en contra.Yes, Mateo, I am going to vote against him.
- MateoEs una decisión difícil para todos.It is a difficult decision for everyone.
- ElenaPero es lo mejor para la empresa.But it is the best thing for the company.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contra, en, votar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
