Understanding how to say “Let’s go” in French is essential for anyone learning the language. It’s a phrase you’ll use constantly, whether you’re making plans with friends, starting an adventure, or simply moving from one place to another.
This article will cover the various ways to express “Let’s go” in French, providing detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you master this useful phrase. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use “Let’s go” like a native speaker.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Let’s Go” in French
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of “Let’s Go” in French
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “Let’s Go” in French
The phrase “Let’s go” in French is a command or suggestion to start an action or move to a different location. It’s used to encourage or invite someone to proceed. The most common translations involve the verbs aller (to go) and partir (to leave). These are typically expressed in the imperative or subjunctive mood to convey the sense of invitation or suggestion.
The main ways to say “Let’s go” in French are:
- Allons-y: This is perhaps the most common and versatile translation. It literally means “Let’s go there.”
- On y va: Similar to allons-y, but uses the impersonal pronoun on, meaning “we” in an informal sense.
- Partons: This means “Let’s leave” and is derived from the verb partir.
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structure of these phrases helps in grasping their usage. Let’s break down each one:
Allons-y:
- Allons: This is the first-person plural imperative form of the verb aller (to go). The imperative mood is used to give commands or make suggestions.
- -y: This is an adverbial pronoun that means “there.” It refers to a previously mentioned place or a place understood in context.
On y va:
- On: This is an indefinite pronoun that can mean “we” (informal), “one,” or “they.” In this context, it means “we.”
- y: Again, this is the adverbial pronoun meaning “there.”
- va: This is the third-person singular form of the verb aller. Because on is treated grammatically as a singular pronoun, we use the singular form of the verb.
Partons:
- Partons: This is the first-person plural imperative form of the verb partir (to leave). It directly translates to “Let’s leave.”
Types and Categories of “Let’s Go” in French
“Allons-y”
Allons-y is a versatile phrase used in many contexts. It’s suitable for formal and informal situations and is a common way to express “Let’s go” in a general sense. It indicates a readiness to start something or move to a new location. The context often provides the specific meaning.
“On y va”
On y va is more informal than allons-y and is frequently used in everyday conversations. It carries a sense of casual encouragement or agreement. It’s particularly common among friends and family. While grammatically using the third-person singular form of aller, ‘va’, it functions as a first-person plural expression due to the use of ‘on’.
“Partons”
Partons is specifically used when the intention is to leave a place. It’s more direct and implies a departure from the current location. It’s a clear and concise way to say “Let’s leave.” It does not include an implied destination like ‘allons-y’ and ‘on y va’.
Other Expressions
While allons-y, on y va, and partons are the most common, there are other ways to express similar ideas:
- En route!: This translates to “On the road!” and is used to signal the start of a journey.
- C’est parti!: This means “It’s started!” or “Here we go!” and is used to indicate the beginning of an action.
- On se casse!: (Informal) This is a very informal way of saying “Let’s get out of here!” The verb se casser means “to break oneself” but is used colloquially to mean “to leave quickly.”
Examples
Here are several examples of how to use each phrase in different contexts:
“Allons-y” Examples
The following table provides examples of using “Allons-y” in various contexts, showcasing its versatility in different scenarios.
| French | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Allons-y, le film va commencer. | Let’s go, the movie is about to start. | Encouraging someone to hurry to the cinema. |
| Allons-y, il est temps de partir en vacances. | Let’s go, it’s time to go on vacation. | Expressing excitement about starting a vacation. |
| Allons-y, on a beaucoup de travail à faire. | Let’s go, we have a lot of work to do. | Motivating a team to start working. |
| Allons-y, je suis prêt pour l’aventure. | Let’s go, I’m ready for the adventure. | Expressing readiness for an adventure. |
| Allons-y, le concert va bientôt commencer. | Let’s go, the concert will start soon. | Encouraging someone to go to a concert. |
| Allons-y, il faut qu’on arrive à l’heure. | Let’s go, we need to arrive on time. | Stressing the importance of punctuality. |
| Allons-y, c’est une belle journée pour se promener. | Let’s go, it’s a beautiful day for a walk. | Suggesting a walk on a nice day. |
| Allons-y, je suis sûr qu’on va s’amuser. | Let’s go, I’m sure we’ll have fun. | Expressing confidence about having fun. |
| Allons-y, le restaurant est juste au coin. | Let’s go, the restaurant is just around the corner. | Encouraging someone to go to a nearby restaurant. |
| Allons-y, il ne faut pas rater le train. | Let’s go, we mustn’t miss the train. | Urging someone to hurry to catch a train. |
| Allons-y, la fête commence à huit heures. | Let’s go, the party starts at eight o’clock. | Reminding someone about the party time. |
| Allons-y, il y a une exposition intéressante au musée. | Let’s go, there’s an interesting exhibition at the museum. | Suggesting a visit to a museum. |
| Allons-y, on pourra prendre un café en route. | Let’s go, we can have a coffee on the way. | Combining the suggestion with a coffee break. |
| Allons-y, j’ai hâte de voir ce film. | Let’s go, I can’t wait to see this movie. | Expressing anticipation for a movie. |
| Allons-y, le soleil se couche bientôt. | Let’s go, the sun is setting soon. | Suggesting to start an activity before sunset. |
| Allons-y, il faut qu’on se dépêche. | Let’s go, we need to hurry. | Emphasizing the need to be quick. |
| Allons-y, c’est le moment de faire du shopping. | Let’s go, it’s time to go shopping. | Suggesting a shopping trip. |
| Allons-y, la plage nous attend. | Let’s go, the beach is waiting for us. | Expressing excitement to go to the beach. |
| Allons-y, il est temps de commencer ce projet. | Let’s go, it’s time to start this project. | Encouraging the start of a project. |
| Allons-y, on va être en retard. | Let’s go, we’re going to be late. | Expressing concern about being late. |
“On y va” Examples
This table shows how “On y va” is used in everyday conversations to express readiness and agreement in more informal settings.
| French | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| On y va, les enfants sont prêts. | Let’s go, the children are ready. | Announcing readiness to leave with children. |
| On y va, j’ai réservé une table au restaurant. | Let’s go, I’ve booked a table at the restaurant. | Suggesting departure after making a reservation. |
| On y va, tout est prêt pour le voyage. | Let’s go, everything is ready for the trip. | Indicating that all preparations are complete. |
| On y va, je suis fatigué d’attendre. | Let’s go, I’m tired of waiting. | Expressing impatience. |
| On y va, la réunion va bientôt commencer. | Let’s go, the meeting will start soon. | Reminding someone about an upcoming meeting. |
| On y va, il commence à pleuvoir. | Let’s go, it’s starting to rain. | Suggesting to leave due to the weather. |
| On y va, j’ai envie d’une glace. | Let’s go, I feel like having ice cream. | Expressing a desire for ice cream. |
| On y va, le spectacle va commencer. | Let’s go, the show is about to begin. | Reminding someone about an upcoming show. |
| On y va, j’ai promis d’être à l’heure. | Let’s go, I promised to be on time. | Stressing the importance of punctuality. |
| On y va, je n’ai plus rien à faire ici. | Let’s go, I have nothing more to do here. | Indicating that there’s no reason to stay. |
| On y va, les soldes commencent aujourd’hui. | Let’s go, the sales start today. | Suggesting a shopping trip because of sales. |
| On y va, j’ai faim. | Let’s go, I’m hungry. | Expressing hunger. |
| On y va, il y a un nouveau café à essayer. | Let’s go, there’s a new cafe to try. | Suggesting trying a new cafe. |
| On y va, le soleil brille. | Let’s go, the sun is shining. | Suggesting to leave because of the good weather. |
| On y va, je suis prêt à partir. | Let’s go, I’m ready to leave. | Indicating readiness to leave. |
| On y va, il est tard. | Let’s go, it’s late. | Suggesting to leave because of the time. |
| On y va, j’ai envie de danser. | Let’s go, I feel like dancing. | Expressing a desire to dance. |
| On y va, le match va commencer. | Let’s go, the match is about to start. | Reminding someone about an upcoming match. |
| On y va, j’ai envie d’une pizza. | Let’s go, I feel like having a pizza. | Expressing a desire for pizza. |
| On y va, il faut qu’on se dépêche. | Let’s go, we need to hurry. | Emphasizing the need to hurry. |
“Partons” Examples
The following table provides examples of using “Partons” to specifically indicate leaving a place, emphasizing departure.
| French | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Partons, il n’y a plus rien à voir ici. | Let’s leave, there’s nothing more to see here. | Suggesting departure because there’s nothing left to see. |
| Partons, je me sens mal à l’aise. | Let’s leave, I feel uncomfortable. | Expressing discomfort and wanting to leave. |
| Partons, il est temps de rentrer à la maison. | Let’s leave, it’s time to go home. | Indicating it’s time to go home. |
| Partons, ce n’est pas un endroit sûr. | Let’s leave, this is not a safe place. | Expressing concern about safety. |
| Partons, la fête est ennuyeuse. | Let’s leave, the party is boring. | Expressing boredom at a party. |
| Partons, il y a trop de monde. | Let’s leave, there are too many people. | Suggesting to leave because of overcrowding. |
| Partons, je n’aime pas cet endroit. | Let’s leave, I don’t like this place. | Expressing dislike for a place. |
| Partons, je suis fatigué. | Let’s leave, I’m tired. | Expressing fatigue. |
| Partons, il se fait tard. | Let’s leave, it’s getting late. | Indicating it’s getting late. |
| Partons, je veux aller ailleurs. | Let’s leave, I want to go somewhere else. | Expressing a desire to go somewhere else. |
| Partons, je n’ai pas envie de rester. | Let’s leave, I don’t want to stay. | Expressing a lack of desire to stay. |
| Partons, je suis pressé. | Let’s leave, I’m in a hurry. | Expressing urgency. |
| Partons, le film est terminé. | Let’s leave, the movie is over. | Indicating the movie has ended. |
| Partons, j’ai froid. | Let’s leave, I’m cold. | Expressing feeling cold. |
| Partons, je n’aime pas l’ambiance ici. | Let’s leave, I don’t like the atmosphere here. | Expressing dislike for the atmosphere. |
| Partons, j’ai déjà vu tout ce que je voulais voir. | Let’s leave, I’ve already seen everything I wanted to see. | Indicating everything of interest has been seen. |
| Partons, je veux éviter les embouteillages. | Let’s leave, I want to avoid traffic jams. | Expressing a desire to avoid traffic. |
| Partons, c’est l’heure de dîner. | Let’s leave, it’s dinner time. | Indicating it’s time for dinner. |
| Partons, je suis ennuyé. | Let’s leave, I’m bored. | Expressing boredom. |
| Partons, je veux rentrer chez moi. | Let’s leave, I want to go home. | Expressing a desire to go home. |
Other Expressions Examples
This table presents examples of alternative expressions similar to “Let’s go,” showcasing their specific uses and nuances.
| French | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| En route pour l’aventure! | On the road to adventure! | Expressing excitement about starting an adventure. |
| C’est parti pour une longue journée! | Here we go for a long day! | Preparing for a long day ahead. |
| On se casse d’ici! | Let’s get out of here! | Expressing a strong desire to leave a place quickly (very informal). |
| En route pour Paris! | On the road to Paris! | Announcing the start of a trip to Paris. |
| C’est parti, on commence le travail! | Here we go, we’re starting the work! | Announcing the beginning of work. |
| En route pour la plage! | On the road to the beach! | Announcing the start of a trip to the beach. |
| C’est parti pour le week-end! | Here we go for the weekend! | Expressing excitement about the start of the weekend. |
| On se casse avant qu’il ne nous voie! | Let’s get out of here before he sees us! | Expressing a need to leave quickly to avoid someone (very informal). |
| En route pour le cinéma! | On the road to the cinema! | Announcing the start of a trip to the cinema. |
| C’est parti, on y va! | Here we go, let’s go! | Combining two expressions to emphasize the start. |
| En route pour de nouvelles aventures! | On the road to new adventures! | Expressing excitement about new adventures. |
| C’est parti pour un voyage inoubliable! | Here we go for an unforgettable trip! | Expressing excitement about an upcoming trip. |
| On se casse, cet endroit est nul! | Let’s get out of here, this place sucks! | Expressing strong dislike for a place and wanting to leave quickly (very informal). |
| En route pour le restaurant! | On the road to the restaurant! | Announcing the start of a trip to the restaurant. |
| C’est parti pour une soirée de folie! | Here we go for a crazy night! | Expressing excitement about a crazy night. |
| En route pour le concert! | On the road to the concert! | Announcing the start of a trip to the concert. |
| C’est parti pour un nouveau chapitre! | Here we go for a new chapter! | Expressing excitement about starting a new chapter in life. |
| On se casse, il y a trop de bruit ici! | Let’s get out of here, it’s too noisy here! | Expressing a need to leave because of the noise (very informal). |
| En route pour la montagne! | On the road to the mountain! | Announcing the start of a trip to the mountain. |
| C’est parti pour une nouvelle semaine! | Here we go for a new week! | Preparing for a new week ahead. |
Usage Rules
Here are some key rules to keep in mind when using these phrases:
- Formality: Allons-y is generally more formal than on y va. Partons is neutral in formality.
- Context: Choose the phrase that best fits the context. Partons is specifically for leaving a place.
- Pronunciation: Pay attention to pronunciation. In allons-y, the “s” in allons is linked to the “y,” creating a smooth sound.
- Informal expressions: Be cautious with very informal expressions like on se casse, as they may not be appropriate in all situations.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes learners make and how to avoid them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Nous allons-y | Allons-y | The pronoun nous is unnecessary in the imperative form. |
| On va-y | On y va | The word order is incorrect. |
| Partir | Partons | The infinitive form is not used to express “Let’s leave.” |
| Aller-y | Allons-y | The imperative form of aller is required. |
| On y aller | On y va | The verb must agree with the pronoun “on.” |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase (allons-y, on y va, partons, or en route).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. ________, le train va partir. | Allons-y |
| 2. ________, je suis prêt. | On y va |
| 3. ________, il n’y a rien d’intéressant ici. | Partons |
| 4. ________ pour l’aventure! | En route |
| 5. ________, il est tard et je suis fatigué. | Partons |
| 6. ________, le film commence dans cinq minutes. | Allons-y |
| 7. ________, je veux manger une pizza. | On y va |
| 8. ________ pour la montagne! | En route |
| 9. ________, cet endroit est ennuyeux. | Partons |
| 10. ________, tout le monde est prêt. | On y va |
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into French using the appropriate form of “Let’s go.”
| English | French |
|---|---|
| 1. Let’s go, we’re going to be late. | Allons-y, on va être en retard. / On y va, on va être en retard. |
| 2. Let’s leave, this place is boring. | Partons, cet endroit est ennuyeux. |
| 3. Let’s go, I want to go to the beach. | On y va, je veux aller à la plage. |
| 4. On the road to success! | En route vers le succès! |
| 5. Let’s leave, I don’t feel well. | Partons, je ne me sens pas bien. |
| 6. Let’s go, the concert is starting. | Allons-y, le concert commence. / On y va, le concert commence. |
| 7. Let’s go, it’s time to start working. | Allons-y, il est temps de commencer à travailler. / On y va, il est temps de commencer à travailler. |
| 8. Let’s get out of here! (informal) | On se casse! |
| 9. Let’s go, I’m hungry. | On y va, j’ai faim. |
| 10. Let’s leave, there’s nothing to see here. | Partons, il n’y a rien à voir ici. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these nuances:
- Subjunctive Mood: In some contexts, you might use the subjunctive mood to express a more hesitant or polite suggestion. For example, “Qu’on y aille” could be used, although it’s less common.
- Emphasis: To add emphasis, you can use adverbs like “vite” (quickly) or “tout de suite” (right away). For example, “Allons-y vite!” means “Let’s go quickly!”
- Regional Variations: While the core phrases are universal, some regions may have slightly different expressions or preferences.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about saying “Let’s go” in French:
- Is allons-y always the best option?
No, it depends on the context. Allons-y is versatile but use partons when you specifically mean “Let’s leave.” On y va is suitable for informal situations. - When should I use on se casse?
Use on se casse only in very informal settings with close friends. It’s quite colloquial and can be considered rude in more formal situations. - Can I use allons without the -y?
While grammatically possible, saying just “Allons!” is less common and sounds incomplete. The -y adds a sense of direction or purpose. - Is there a difference between on y va and nous y allons?
Yes. While both translate to “we go there” or “let’s go,” on y va is more informal and commonly used in everyday conversation. Nous y allons is grammatically correct but sounds more formal and less natural in this context. - How do I make these phrases more urgent?
You can add adverbs like vite (quickly) or dépêchons-nous (let’s hurry). For example, Allons-y vite! or Dépêchons-nous, on y va! - Are there any other ways to say “Let’s go” that are less common?
Yes, but they are less frequently used. For example, “Quittons cet endroit” (Let’s leave this place) is a more formal and less common alternative to “Partons.” - Can I use these phrases in written French?
Yes, but be mindful of the formality. Allons-y and partons are suitable for most writing contexts, while on y va is better for informal writing. Avoid on se casse in formal writing. - What’s the difference between ‘en route’ and other expressions?
‘En route’ translates to ‘on the way’ or ‘on the road’. It’s used to announce the beginning of a journey or trip, emphasizing the movement towards a destination. Unlike ‘allons-y’ or ‘on y va’, it focuses more on the journey itself rather than a general agreement to go.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of saying “Let’s go” in French involves understanding the nuances of each phrase and choosing the one that best fits the context. Allons-y, on y va, and partons are your primary tools, each with its own level of formality and specific usage. Remember to practice using these phrases in real conversations to solidify your understanding. By paying attention to the rules and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll be able to express “Let’s go” with confidence and fluency.
Continue practicing and immersing yourself in the French language to further refine your skills. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different expressions and listen to how native speakers use them.
With consistent effort, you’ll become proficient in using these essential phrases and communicating effectively in French.