Inklingo

How to Say "poll" in Spanish

English → Spanish

encuesta

en-KWES-tahenˈkwesta

nounB1general
Use 'encuesta' when referring to a formal gathering of opinions or a survey, especially on a specific topic or for research purposes.
A friendly person holding a clipboard and a pencil, checking off items while talking to another person in a park.

Examples

Hicimos una encuesta en la escuela sobre la comida de la cafetería.

We did a survey at school about the cafeteria food.

Según la última encuesta, el candidato tiene mucha ventaja.

According to the latest poll, the candidate has a big lead.

Los resultados de la encuesta de opinión fueron sorprendentes.

The results of the opinion poll were surprising.

Always Feminine

Even if the survey is for men or about a masculine topic, the word itself is always 'la encuesta' or 'una encuesta'.

Verbs to use

To say 'to take a survey,' use 'hacer' (to do) or 'realizar' (to carry out). Don't say 'tomar una encuesta,' as that sounds like a literal translation from English.

Encuesta vs. Entrevista

Mistake: “Using 'entrevista' when you mean a written survey.”

Correction: Use 'encuesta' for data collection from many people. Use 'entrevista' (interview) for a deep conversation with just one person.

Surveying as an action

Mistake: “Yo encuesta a la gente.”

Correction: Yo encuesto a la gente. Remember that 'encuesta' is the thing (the noun), but 'encuestar' is the action (the verb).

sondeo

son-DEH-ohsonˈde.o

nounB1general
Use 'sondeo' specifically when talking about an opinion poll, particularly in a political or electoral context, to gauge public sentiment.
A colorful illustration of a person putting a paper ballot into a simple wooden box.

Examples

El último sondeo electoral muestra un empate entre los candidatos.

The latest election poll shows a tie between the candidates.

Realizamos un sondeo de mercado para conocer los gustos de los clientes.

We carried out a market survey to learn about the customers' tastes.

Según el sondeo de opinión, la mayoría apoya la nueva ley.

According to the opinion poll, the majority supports the new law.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', remember it always uses 'el' or 'un'. It doesn't change if you're surveying women or men.

Nouns from Verbs

This word comes from the verb 'sondear'. In Spanish, many nouns are created by changing the ending of a verb to 'o' or 'a'.

Sondeo vs. Encuesta

Mistake: “Using 'encuesta' for a quick, informal check.”

Correction: Use 'sondeo' for a quick 'temperature check' or a preliminary poll, and 'encuesta' for a more formal, long-form questionnaire.

voto

VOH-tohˈbo.to

nounA2general
Use 'voto' to refer to a single vote cast in an election or a formal decision-making process, or the act of voting itself.
A stylized illustration of a hand casting a folded ballot into a blue election box.

Examples

Mi voto es secreto, nadie sabrá a quién elegí.

My vote is secret; no one will know who I chose.

El presidente ganó por un solo voto de diferencia.

The president won by only one vote difference.

Todos los miembros tienen derecho a emitir un voto en la reunión.

All members have the right to cast a vote in the meeting.

Gender Check

Since 'voto' is masculine, remember to use 'el' or 'un' with it, and any describing words (adjectives) must also end in -o (e.g., 'el voto secreto').

Confusing 'Voto' and 'Votación'

Mistake: “Using 'la voto' instead of 'el voto'.”

Correction: Voto is masculine ('el voto'). 'Votación' (the voting process) is feminine ('la votación').

Encuesta vs. Sondeo vs. Voto

Learners often confuse 'encuesta' and 'sondeo' because both relate to gathering opinions. Remember that 'encuesta' is a broader term for any survey, while 'sondeo' is almost exclusively used for opinion or election polls. 'Voto' is distinct, referring to the individual act of casting a ballot.

Related Translations

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