votar
Lemma Details
Translation: to vote; to cast a vote; to elect
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Votar comes from Latin 'votum', the past participle of 'vovere' meaning 'to vow, promise, dedicate'. This same Latin root gave English words like 'vote', 'vow', 'devote', and 'devotion'. Originally, voting was connected to making solemn promises or pledges, reflecting how casting a vote is a formal expression of one's choice or preference.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Muchos jóvenes no votaron en las últimas elecciones.
Many young people didn't vote in the last elections.
Voy a votar por primera vez en las próximas elecciones.
I'm going to vote for the first time in the upcoming elections.
¿Por quién vas a votar?
Who are you going to vote for?
Es importante votar para ejercer nuestros derechos democráticos.
It's important to vote to exercise our democratic rights.
Mnemonics
- Sounds like the English 'vote' with an '-ar' ending typical of Spanish verbs.
- Think of 'devotion' to a cause - voting shows devotion to civic participation.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Voting is a significant civic duty in Spanish-speaking countries, with many having mandatory voting laws. In Spain and Latin American countries, political participation through voting is often discussed passionately, and election days are important cultural events. The right to vote has been hard-won in many Spanish-speaking nations following periods of dictatorship.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'votar' means 'to vote', 'botar' means 'to bounce' or 'to throw away'. They differ only by the initial consonant (v vs. b) which can sound similar in Spanish pronunciation.
This word:
Vamos a votar en las elecciones municipales.
We're going to vote in the municipal elections.
Confused word:
El niño está botando la pelota en el patio.
The boy is bouncing the ball in the yard.
Notes: In many Spanish dialects, the 'b' and 'v' sounds are pronounced very similarly, making these words sound nearly identical in speech. Context is crucial for distinguishing them.
Mnemonic: V for Vote, B for Bounce or Bin (throw away).
Explanation: 'Votar' means 'to vote' while 'notar' means 'to notice' or 'to note'. They differ only by the initial consonant.
Notes: Both are regular -ar verbs with similar conjugation patterns.
Mnemonic: V for Vote, N for Notice.