A continuación, votamos.

In this sentence, a continuación means next, then, or after that.

It is a set phrase used to move to the next step in a sequence. In formal or organized situations, it often sounds a bit more structured than just luego or después.

So A continuación, votamos. is something like:

• Next, we vote.
• We’ll vote next.
• The next thing we do is vote.

It is two words: a continuación.

This is a fixed expression:

• a = a preposition
• continuación = continuation / what comes next

You should learn it as a whole chunk because its meaning is idiomatic: after that / next.

The comma is used because a continuación is an introductory time/sequencing expression at the start of the sentence.

So Spanish often writes:

• A continuación, votamos.
• Después, hablamos.
• Luego, salimos.

The comma helps separate the introductory phrase from the main clause. In short sentences, especially informal ones, you may sometimes see punctuation used less carefully, but the comma here is normal and correct.

Spanish often uses the present tense to talk about the next step in a plan, schedule, meeting, or set procedure.

So votamos literally looks like we vote, but in context it can naturally mean:

• we vote next
• we’re voting next
• now we vote

This is very common when narrating procedures or giving instructions in a group setting.

Grammatically, votamos is the first person plural present indicative, so its basic form is we vote.

However, in context, Spanish sometimes uses this form in a practical, action-oriented way that English might translate as:

• we vote now
• next, we vote
• sometimes even let’s vote

That said, the clearest direct equivalent of let’s vote is usually votemos.

So:

• votamos = we vote / we are voting
• votemos = let’s vote

In real situations, A continuación, votamos often sounds like someone guiding the group through an agenda: Next, we vote.

Because Spanish usually omits subject pronouns when they are not needed.

The verb ending -amos already tells you the subject is we:

• votamos = we vote

So Nosotros votamos is possible, but usually unnecessary unless you want emphasis or contrast, for example:

• Nosotros votamos, pero ellos no.
  We vote, but they don’t.

In A continuación, votamos, leaving out nosotros sounds natural.

Yes, both are possible, but they are not always identical in tone.

• A continuación, votamos. = more formal, structured, agenda-like
• Luego votamos. = later / then; can be more conversational, but in some contexts luego may sound like later, not necessarily right after this
• Después votamos. = after that / afterwards; very common and natural

If you are describing the next item in a meeting, presentation, instructions, or official process, a continuación is especially appropriate.

Yes, a continuación often sounds somewhat formal or organized.

You hear it a lot in:

• meetings
• presentations
• speeches
• announcements
• instructions
• TV or radio transitions

For example:

• A continuación, pasamos al punto dos.
• A continuación, interviene la directora.

It is not unnatural in everyday Spanish, but it is more polished than some simpler alternatives.

Yes. The most common version here is:

• A continuación, votamos.

But you could also say:

• Votamos a continuación.

That version is grammatical, but it may sound a little less natural in many contexts if you are introducing the next step in a sequence. Putting a continuación first helps frame the sentence as what happens next.

Votamos is pronounced roughly bo-TA-mos in Spain, with the stress on ta.

Because it ends in -s, the normal stress falls on the second-to-last syllable:

• vo-TA-mos

In most of Spain, v and b are pronounced the same or very similarly, so votamos begins with a b-like sound rather than an English v.

Yes. It is completely natural in Spain, especially in formal or semi-formal contexts such as meetings, councils, assemblies, classrooms, or presentations.

Since you are learning Spanish from Spain, this is a useful phrase to recognize because it fits well with the kind of structured language often used in public or professional settings.