From Latin *vox, vocis* ("voice, sound, word"), from Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ- ("to speak"). The same root gives English "vocal," "vocabulary," and "invoke."

In Spanish, *voz* carries extra metaphorical weight: *dar voz* (to give voice/a platform to someone) is a common phrase in activism and journalism. The expression *en voz alta* ("out loud") vs. *en voz baja* ("in a low voice / under one's breath") are everyday phrases every learner will encounter quickly. Note that *voz* is a false cognate trap with English "voice" — they mean the same thing, but English speakers sometimes mistakenly use *voce* (Italian) or *voix* (French) by accident.