投票する em 30 segundos
- 投票する (tōhyō suru) means to vote or cast a ballot in elections, polls, or group decisions.
- It is a Suru-verb (Group 3) and is used with the particle 'ni' for the target of the vote.
- The word is essential for discussing Japanese politics, media rankings, and school elections.
- Commonly confused with 'erabu' (to choose), but 'tōhyō suru' is specific to formal voting systems.
The Japanese verb 投票する (tōhyō suru) is the standard way to express the act of voting or casting a ballot. Etymologically, it is composed of two kanji: 投 (tō), which means 'to throw' or 'to cast', and 票 (hyō), which means 'a slip', 'a label', or 'a ballot'. When combined with the light verb する (suru), it literally translates to 'to cast a ballot'. This word is essential for discussing democracy, collective decision-making, and even casual popularity contests in Japan. Whether you are participating in a national election, a local school board vote, or simply deciding which flavor of ice cream a group should buy via an online poll, tōhyō suru is the term you will encounter most frequently.
- Political Context
- In formal settings like the 選挙 (senkyo - election), this verb is used to describe the legal act of choosing representatives. It is often paired with the particle に to indicate the candidate or party being voted for.
私は次の選挙で彼に投票するつもりです。
(I intend to vote for him in the next election.)
Beyond politics, tōhyō suru is ubiquitous in Japanese media and pop culture. Japan has a strong culture of 'rankings' and 'popularity polls'. For instance, every year, the public is invited to tōhyō suru for the 'Kanji of the Year' (今年の漢字). Similarly, fans of idol groups like AKB48 famously participate in 'General Elections' where they tōhyō suru to decide which members will lead the next single. In these cases, the word carries a sense of active participation and expression of preference. It is not just about a formal legal right but about making one's voice heard in a collective consensus-driven society.
- Grammatical Structure
- The verb is a Suru-verb (Group 3). It can be conjugated into various forms: 投票した (past), 投票しない (negative), 投票できる (potential - can vote), and 投票してください (request - please vote).
オンラインで簡単に投票することができます。
(You can vote easily online.)
In Japan, the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2016. This shift has led to increased educational campaigns encouraging young people to tōhyō suru. You will see posters in train stations and schools using this word to promote civic duty. The nuance of the word is neutral and formal, but it is used by everyone from government officials to teenagers discussing their favorite anime characters in a Twitter poll. It is a fundamental piece of vocabulary for anyone living in or studying about modern Japan.
Using 投票する correctly requires understanding its relationship with particles. The most important particle to master is に (ni). In Japanese, you 'vote TO' someone or something, rather than 'FOR' them in the English sense of 'for the benefit of'. When you specify the target of your vote—a person, a party, or an option—you use [Target] に投票する.
- The Target Particle (に)
- Use 'ni' to indicate who or what receives your vote. Example: 候補者に投票する (Vote for the candidate).
どの政党に投票するか決めましたか？
(Have you decided which political party to vote for?)
Another common particle is で (de), which indicates the location, method, or occasion of the voting. For example, 選挙で投票する (vote in an election) or スマホで投票する (vote via smartphone). This distinction is crucial: ni is the 'who', while de is the 'how/where'.
- The Method Particle (で)
- Use 'de' to describe the medium or setting. Example: 無記名で投票する (Vote anonymously/by secret ballot).
私たちは多数決で投票することにした。
(We decided to vote by majority rule.)
When you want to emphasize the act of casting a single vote, you might use the noun form 投票 (tōhyō) followed by the verb を行う (o okonau - to perform/conduct) or を済ませる (o sumaseru - to finish/complete). In very formal or literary contexts, the phrase 一票を投じる (ippyō o tōjiru) is used, meaning 'to cast one vote'. This sounds more sophisticated and is often heard in news broadcasts or read in editorials.
Finally, consider the passive form 投票される (tōhyō sareru). This is used when someone or something receives votes. For example, 'He was voted the most popular teacher' would be 彼が最も人気のある先生に投票された. Understanding these variations allows you to navigate both simple conversations and complex news reports about public opinion and democratic processes.
In everyday Japanese life, 投票する is most prominent during election cycles. You will hear it blasted from senkyo-car (election campaign vans) roaming the streets with loudspeakers, where candidates beg citizens to tōhyō shite kudasai. However, the word's reach extends far beyond the ballot box at the local city hall. It is a staple of the Japanese entertainment industry and digital landscape.
- Entertainment and Media
- Reality shows, talent competitions, and anime popularity polls constantly use this word. For example, the 'M-1 Grand Prix' (comedy competition) or 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' (New Year's Eve song battle) often ask viewers to vote for their favorite performers via remote control or app.
dボタンを押して、好きなチームに投票することができます。
(Press the 'd' button to vote for your favorite team.)
In the workplace or school, tōhyō suru is used for group decisions. If a team cannot agree on a lunch spot or a project direction, someone might suggest 投票で決めましょう (Let's decide by vote). At school, students tōhyō suru for their class representatives or the student council president (生徒会長). This introduces the concept of democratic participation from a young age.
On the internet, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram have 'poll' features. In Japanese, these are often called アンケート (ankēto - from the French 'enquête'), but the action of clicking an option is still referred to as tōhyō suru. You will see phrases like 「投票お願いします！」 (Please vote!) in the captions of influencers or brands seeking feedback from their audience.
- News and Journalism
- News anchors use this word when discussing voter turnout (投票率 - tōhyō-ritsu) or the process of counting votes (開票 - kaihyō). It is a key term for understanding any report on domestic or international politics.
若者の多くが、SNSを通じて投票することの大切さを知った。
(Many young people learned the importance of voting through social media.)
Whether it is a high-stakes national referendum or a low-stakes office poll, tōhyō suru is the linguistic vehicle for choice and consensus in Japan. Hearing it signifies a moment where individual opinions are being aggregated into a collective result.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 投票する is applying English prepositional logic to Japanese particles. In English, we say 'vote for someone'. Naturally, learners often want to use のために (no tame ni) or を (o). However, as noted before, the correct particle is に (ni). Using o would imply you are 'voting the person', which makes no sense in Japanese.
- Mistake: Wrong Particle for Target
- Incorrect: 田中さんを投票した (Voted Tanaka).
Correct: 田中さんに投票した (Voted FOR Tanaka).
Another common confusion arises between tōhyō suru and 選ぶ (erabu - to choose). While voting is a form of choosing, erabu is a general verb for any selection. If you are picking a shirt at a store, you use erabu. If you are participating in a structured system where multiple people's choices are counted, you must use tōhyō suru. Using erabu in an election context isn't 'wrong' per se, but it sounds less precise and more like a personal preference than a formal act.
A subtle mistake involves the use of 選挙 (senkyo). Senkyo is the noun for 'election'. You cannot 'senkyo suru' to mean 'to vote'. You must say senkyo de tōhyō suru (vote in an election). Some learners mistakenly try to use the word 'election' as a verb to describe the act of voting. Remember: the election is the event; the voting is the action.
✕ 私は明日、選挙します。
○ 私は明日、選挙で投票するつもりです。
(I intend to vote in the election tomorrow.)
Finally, be careful with the potential form. Tōhyō dekiru means 'can vote' (has the right or ability). Sometimes learners use tōhyō shieru or other non-standard forms. Stick to the standard Suru-verb potential conjugation: 投票できる. Also, avoid using tōhyō suru when you simply mean 'to agree' or 'to support'. If there's no ballot involved, use 賛成する (sansei suru - to agree/support) instead.
While 投票する is the most common term, Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context of the choice being made. Understanding these nuances will make your Japanese sound more natural and precise.
- 一票を投じる (Ippyō o tōjiru)
- This is a more literary and formal expression. It literally means 'to cast one vote'. You will see this in newspapers or hear it in solemn speeches about the weight of democracy. It emphasizes the individual's contribution to the whole.
彼は自分の信念に従って一票を投じた。
(He cast his vote according to his beliefs.)
In casual settings, people might say 選挙に行く (senkyo ni iku), which literally means 'to go to the election'. This is often used as a shorthand for the act of voting. If a friend asks, 'Are you going to vote today?', they are more likely to say 今日、選挙行く？ rather than using the full verb 投票する.
- 選出する (Senshutsu suru)
- This means 'to elect' or 'to select by vote'. While tōhyō suru is the action of the voter, senshutsu suru often refers to the outcome or the action of the body as a whole. Example: 議長を選出する (To elect a chairperson).
For informal polls or questionnaires, the word アンケートに答える (ankēto ni kotaeru) is often used. If you are clicking a button on a website to choose your favorite character, you are technically 'answering a survey' as much as you are 'voting'. However, if the result is a ranking, tōhyō suru remains the most accurate term.
Finally, consider 多数決 (tasūketsu), which means 'majority rule'. You will often hear 多数決で決める (decide by majority vote). While not a direct synonym for the verb, it is the most common way to describe the system in which tōhyō suru takes place in group settings like classrooms or meetings.
Curiosidade
The kanji 票 (hyō) originally depicted fire over an altar, signifying a rising signal or a light slip of paper/label. The act of 'throwing' it (投) emphasizes the physical act of casting a ballot.
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing 'hyo' as two syllables 'hi-yo'. It should be one smooth sound.
- Shortening the long 'o' sounds in 'tō' and 'hyō'.
- Confusing the pitch accent with 'hōyō' (embrace).
- Mixing up the 'u' in 'suru' with a strong English 'oo' sound.
- Forgetting the 'u' at the end of 'suru' entirely in formal speech.
Exemplos por nível
好きな果物に投票してください。
Please vote for your favorite fruit.
Uses the polite 'please' form: ~shite kudasai.
私は青い色に投票します。
I will vote for the color blue.
Uses the particle 'ni' to indicate the target.
みんなで投票しましょう。
Let's all vote together.
Uses the 'let's' form: ~shimashō.
誰に投票しましたか？
Who did you vote for?
Past tense question.
ここで投票することができます。
You can vote here.
Uses 'koto ga dekiru' for potential.
オンラインで投票する。
Vote online.
Dictionary form used in a simple instruction.
投票は楽しいです。
Voting is fun.
Noun form 'tōhyō' as the subject.
先生に投票する。
Vote for the teacher.
Simple target + verb.
明日、選挙で投票します。
I will vote in the election tomorrow.
Uses 'de' for the event/location.
十八歳から投票することができます。
You can vote from the age of eighteen.
Refers to the Japanese voting age law.
どの候補者に投票するか決めましたか？
Have you decided which candidate to vote for?
Uses 'ka' for an embedded question.
投票所はどこですか？
Where is the polling station?
Uses the noun 'tōhyō-jo' (voting place).
学校の代表を投票で選びます。
We choose the school representative by vote.
Uses 'de' to indicate the method.
彼はまだ投票していません。
He hasn't voted yet.
Negative present continuous form.
家族と一緒に投票に行きました。
I went to vote with my family.
Uses 'ni iku' (go to do something).
投票用紙に名前を書いてください。
Please write the name on the ballot paper.
Introduces 'tōhyō-yōshi' (ballot paper).
若者の投票率を上げることが大切です。
It is important to increase the voter turnout of young people.
Introduces the compound 'tōhyō-ritsu' (voter turnout).
SNSで好きなアイドルに投票した。
I voted for my favorite idol on social media.
Informal past tense.
投票の結果、新しいリーダーが決まった。
As a result of the vote, a new leader was decided.
Uses 'no kekka' (as a result of).
誰が当選するか、投票するまでわからない。
We won't know who will win until we vote.
Uses 'made' (until).
彼は最も信頼できる人に投票すると言った。
He said he would vote for the most trustworthy person.
Indirect speech with 'to itta'.
投票に行くのを忘れないでください。
Please don't forget to go vote.
Uses 'no o wasurenaide' (don't forget to...).
自分の意見を伝えるために投票する。
I vote in order to convey my opinion.
Uses 'tame ni' (in order to).
多数決で投票することに賛成ですか？
Do you agree with voting by majority rule?
Uses 'koto ni sansei' (agree with doing...).
政策をよく読んでから投票するべきだ。
You should vote after reading the policies carefully.
Uses 'beki da' (should).
不正な投票が行われないように監視する。
Monitor to ensure that illegal voting does not take place.
Uses 'yō ni' (so that/to ensure).
彼女は白票を投じることで抗議した。
She protested by casting a blank ballot.
Introduces 'hakuhyō' (blank ballot) and 'tōjiru'.
投票権を持つことは国民の義務です。
Having the right to vote is a citizen's duty.
Introduces 'tōhyō-ken' (right to vote).
インターネット投票の導入が議論されている。
The introduction of internet voting is being discussed.
Passive voice 'giron sarete iru'.
期日前投票を利用する人が増えています。
The number of people using early voting is increasing.
Introduces 'kijitsuzen tōhyō' (early voting).
彼は誰に投票するかを秘密にしている。
He is keeping who he votes for a secret.
Uses 'o himitsu ni shite iru'.
投票箱が厳重に管理されている。
The ballot boxes are strictly managed.
Uses 'tōhyō-bako' (ballot box).
有権者は慎重に判断して投票する責任がある。
Voters have a responsibility to judge carefully and vote.
Introduces 'yūkensha' (voter/elector).
一票の格差が投票行動に影響を与えている。
The disparity in the value of a single vote is affecting voting behavior.
Introduces 'ippyō no kakusa' (vote value disparity).
不在者投票の手続きは非常に複雑だ。
The procedure for absentee voting is very complicated.
Introduces 'fuzaisha tōhyō' (absentee voting).
棄権せずに必ず投票することが民主主義の基本だ。
Voting without abstaining is the basis of democracy.
Introduces 'kiken' (abstention).
世論調査の結果と実際の投票内容が異なった。
The results of the public opinion poll differed from the actual voting content.
Introduces 'yoron chōsa' (public opinion poll).
電子投票システムのセキュリティが懸念されている。
The security of the electronic voting system is a concern.
Introduces 'denshi tōhyō' (electronic voting).
彼は特定の政党に組織票を投じるよう指示した。
He instructed that organized votes be cast for a specific party.
Introduces 'soshikihyō' (organized/bloc vote).
投票の透明性を確保することが急務である。
Ensuring the transparency of voting is an urgent task.
Uses 'kyūmu' (urgent task).
参政権の拡大は、長年にわたる闘争の末に勝ち取られた。
The expansion of voting rights was won after years of struggle.
Introduces 'sanseiken' (suffrage/right to vote).
直接民主主義において、国民が直接政策に投票する。
In direct democracy, citizens vote directly on policies.
Discusses political systems.
義務投票制を導入している国も少なくない。
Not a few countries have introduced compulsory voting systems.
Introduces 'gimu tōhyō-sei' (compulsory voting).
投票行動の心理的要因を分析する研究が進んでいる。
Research analyzing the psychological factors of voting behavior is progressing.
Academic register.
憲法改正の是非を問う国民投票が実施された。
A national referendum was held to ask the pros and cons of constitutional amendment.
Introduces 'kokumin tōhyō' (national referendum).
死票を減らすための選挙制度改革が必要だ。
Electoral system reform is needed to reduce wasted votes.
Introduces 'shihyō' (dead/wasted vote).
彼は政治的無関心から投票を放棄した。
He abandoned voting due to political apathy.
Uses 'hōki' (abandonment).
議決権行使書を送付して、株主総会で投票する。
Send the exercise of voting rights form and vote at the shareholders' meeting.
Corporate/Legal context.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— To call for people to vote.
有名人が投票を呼びかけた。
— To close the voting.
午後八時に投票を締め切ります。
— To conduct a vote.
クラスで投票を行う。
— To urge or encourage voting.
若者に投票を促すキャンペーン。
— To finish voting.
仕事の前に投票を済ませた。
— To invalidate a vote.
書き間違いで投票が無効になった。
— To abstain from voting.
面倒なので投票を棄権した。
— To delegate one's vote (proxy voting).
代理人に投票を委託する。
— To rig or manipulate a vote.
不正に投票を操作してはいけない。
— To invite or solicit votes.
新商品の名前について投票を募る。
Expressões idiomáticas
— A 'clean' or honest vote; often used in campaign slogans.
私に皆様の清き一票を！
Political Slogan— Floating votes; votes from undecided voters.
浮動票が選挙の結果を左右する。
Political— Dead votes; votes cast for a losing candidate that don't affect the outcome.
死票を減らす工夫が必要だ。
Academic— Organized votes from a specific group (like a union or company).
彼は強い組織票を持っている。
Political— A signed vote (where the voter's identity is known).
責任を明確にするため記名投票にする。
Formal— A secret ballot.
自由な意見を出すために無記名投票を行う。
Formal— To cast a blank ballot as a sign of protest or lack of choice.
ふさわしい人がいないので白票を投じた。
Formal— The weight/importance of a single vote.
一票の重みを噛み締めて投票する。
Literary— Votes are split between multiple similar candidates.
野党の票が割れてしまった。
Political— To 'earn' or gather votes (sometimes implies pandering).
人気取りの政策で票を稼ぐ。
Neutral/CriticalFamília de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine you are **TO**ssing (**TO**) a **HYO**uge (**HYO**) ballot into a box. TO-HYO!
Associação visual
Visualize a bright red ballot box with a white slip of paper falling into the slot.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to say 'I will vote for my friend' in Japanese three times fast: 'Tomodachi ni tōhyō suru, tomodachi ni tōhyō suru, tomodachi ni tōhyō suru'.
Origem da palavra
Sino-Japanese (Kango) origin. Derived from the kanji 投 (to throw) and 票 (ballot/slip).
Significado original: To cast a slip of paper into a container to express a choice.
Japonic (Sino-Japanese vocabulary).Contexto cultural
Voting is a private matter in Japan. It is often considered impolite to ask someone directly who they voted for in a political election.
In English-speaking countries, voting is often associated with checking boxes or using machines. In Japan, the handwriting aspect of 'tōhyō suru' is a key cultural difference.
Summary
The verb 投票する (tōhyō suru) is the formal and standard way to say 'to vote' in Japanese. It applies to everything from national elections to online fan polls. Example: 私は彼に投票しました (I voted for him).
- 投票する (tōhyō suru) means to vote or cast a ballot in elections, polls, or group decisions.
- It is a Suru-verb (Group 3) and is used with the particle 'ni' for the target of the vote.
- The word is essential for discussing Japanese politics, media rankings, and school elections.
- Commonly confused with 'erabu' (to choose), but 'tōhyō suru' is specific to formal voting systems.
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Mais palavras de politics
撤廃
B2A abolição total ou remoção de um sistema, lei ou restrição estabelecida. As reformas visam a <mark class='bg-yellow-200 dark:bg-yellow-800 px-0.5 rounded'>撤廃</mark> dos costumes antigos. A <mark class='bg-yellow-200 dark:bg-yellow-800 px-0.5 rounded'>撤廃</mark> de tarifas alfandegárias estimulou o comércio.
援助する
A2To assist; to help; to support.
訴える
A2To appeal; to sue; to complain.
容認
B2容認 significa aprovar, permitir ou tolerar algo, mesmo que não seja ideal, implicando uma aceitação passiva ou relutante. A empresa tolerou os atrasos menores dos funcionários. (The company tolerated minor employee delays.)
逮捕する
A2Prender. A polícia prendeu o suspeito por roubo ontem à noite.
諮問
B2Encaminhar um assunto a um órgão consultivo ou a um especialista para sua opinião ou deliberação. 'O governo consultou o conselho sobre a nova lei.'
是正
B2A correção ou retificação de uma situação errada, desigualdade ou erro, frequentemente usada em contextos oficiais como a correção de injustiças sociais ou desequilíbrios de mercado.
腐敗
B2A decomposição de matéria orgânica ou a conduta desonesta de quem está no poder.
批判する
A2Criticar ou expressar um julgamento sobre as falhas de algo.
民主主義
A2A democracia é um sistema onde o povo detém o poder.
