Translation guide
The English word 'vote' can refer to the act of casting a ballot, expressing a choice, or the right to do so. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 投票 (tōhyō), but depending on context, other expressions like 票 (hyō) for 'ballot' or 'vote count', or 選挙 (senkyo) for 'election', may be more natural. This guide covers how to express 'vote' in various situations.
投票しました。
I voted.
一票一票が大切です。
Every vote counts.
To express one's choice in an election or decision by casting a ballot or raising a hand.
The standard verb for 'to vote'. Used for elections, polls, and formal decision-making.
明日、投票に行きます。
I will go to vote tomorrow.
He voted against the proposal.
Literally 'to put in a ballot'. A more concrete way to say 'cast a vote', often used in the context of physically placing a ballot in a box.
投票箱に票を入れた。
I cast my vote into the ballot box.
A formal, literary expression meaning 'to cast a vote'. Often used in speeches or news reports.
彼は大統領候補に一票を投じた。
He cast his vote for the presidential candidate.
Referring to an individual's vote or the act of voting as a countable thing.
The most common noun for 'vote' as a countable unit, like 'a vote' or 'votes'. Used in counting and results.
彼は100票差で勝った。
He won by a margin of 100 votes.
その法案は賛成多数の票を得た。
The bill received a majority of votes in favor.
Can also be used as a noun meaning 'voting' or 'a vote' in a more abstract sense, like 'the vote' as an event or process.
Literally 'one vote'. Used to emphasize the value of a single vote, often in phrases like 'every vote counts'.
The legal right or privilege to participate in elections.
The standard term for 'suffrage' or 'right to vote'.
18歳以上の国民は選挙権を持っている。
Citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote.
A broader term for 'political rights', including the right to vote and stand for office. More formal.
Referring to the event where voting takes place, often translated as 'election' but closely related to 'vote'.
The general word for 'election'. Often used in phrases like 'go to the polls' or 'election day'.
次の選挙は来年です。
The next election is next year.
選挙に行く。
Go to vote (lit. go to the election).
An informal vote or survey to gauge opinion, not a binding election.
Loanword from French 'enquête', used for questionnaires, surveys, and informal polls.
アンケートに答えてください。
Please answer the poll/survey.
Public opinion poll, often used in news contexts.
Expressing a vote by a show of hands or vocal response, common in meetings.
To take a vote by a show of hands. '決を採る' means 'to take a vote/decision'.
議長は挙手で決を採った。
The chairperson took a vote by a show of hands.
To decide by voice vote (e.g., 'aye' vs 'nay').
その動議は声の多数で可決された。
The motion was passed by a voice vote.
投票 (tōhyō) refers specifically to the act of voting or a ballot, while 選挙 (senkyo) means 'election' as an event. You go to a 選挙 to cast your 投票. In casual speech, 選挙に行く (go to the election) is often used to mean 'go to vote'.
選挙に行って投票する。
Go to the election and vote.
The English word 'vote' is sometimes mistakenly rendered as ボート (bōto), but that means 'boat'. The correct loanword for 'vote' is not commonly used; stick with 投票 or 票.
When talking about vote counts or margins, 票 (hyō) is the most natural. For example, 'He got 50 votes' is 彼は50票を得た, not 彼は50投票を得た.
明日の選挙で投票するつもりです。
I'm going to vote in the election tomorrow.
動議は10対5の票決で可決された。
The motion was passed by a vote of 10 to 5.
投票は午後8時に締め切られます。
The vote will close at 8 p.m.
I feel the weight of a single vote.
女性参政権運動は長い歴史がある。
The women's suffrage movement has a long history.
最新の世論調査によると、支持率が下がった。
According to the latest opinion poll, the approval rating has dropped.
Popularity contest or poll, like voting for a favorite idol or character.
このキャラクターは人気投票で1位になった。
This character got first place in the popularity poll.