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"Votar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to vote", and "botar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to throw away". Learn more about the difference between "votar" and "botar" below.
votar(
boh
-
tahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to vote
Yo voté a favor de la propuesta más ecológica.I voted in favor of the more environmentally-friendly proposal.
Debemos votar por el candidato con las mejores propuestas.We must vote for the candidate with the best proposals.
2. (religious)
a. to vow
Los sacerdotes votaron en la iglesia, prometiendo una vida de castidad.The priests vowed at church, promising a life of chastity.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to vote for (a person)
Este estado votó al candidato republicano en las últimas elecciones.This state voted for the Republican candidate in the last elections.
b. to vote (an option or a course of action)
Voté que no en el referéndum.I voted no in the referendum.
a. to approve
Se votó la reforma educativa en el senado.The education reform was approved in the senate.
botar(
boh
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to throw away
Quiero botar estos diarios viejos pero no encuentro un contenedor de basura.I want to throw away these old newspapers but I can't find a trash can.
a. to bounce
Los jugadores de tenis siempre botan la pelota antes de sacar.Tennis players always bounce the ball before serving.
3. (marine)
a. to launch
El Titanic fue botado al mar el 31 de mayo de 1911.The Titanic was launched on May 31, 1911.
4. (to dismiss) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to fire
Te van a botar del trabajo si sigues llegando tarde a la oficina.You'll get fired if you keep on arriving late to the office.
5. (to expel) (Andes) (Dominican Republic) (Nicaragua)
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
6. (to squander) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to waste
No voy a botar mi dinero en una habitación de hotel. Voy a dormir en una tienda de campaña.I'm not going to waste my money on a hotel room. I'm going to sleep in a tent.
7. (to demolish) (Andes) (Costa Rica) (Cuba) (El Salvador)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
Regionalism used in Cuba
Regionalism used in El Salvador
a. to knock down
El gobierno decidió botar el viejo edificio de la biblioteca.The government decided to knock down the old library building.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
