allez
/a.le/
The French word allez is used as an exclamation to encourage someone to move faster or to urge them to do something.
allez is used as an exclamation to urge someone to act or to increase their speed. In an informal setting, you might say Allez! to mean 'go' or 'let's go' or use the phrase Allez, dépêche-toi to say 'go, hurry up' to convey urgency. For more formal ways to express similar ideas, you can use Allez-y to mean 'go ahead' or 'proceed' or Vous pouvez y aller to mean 'you can go' when giving permission or encouragement.
What does it mean word for word?
The word allez is the second-person plural or second-person formal imperative form of the verb 'aller' (to go), meaning 'go (you all/you formal)'.
Which one should you use?
While allez is a common exclamation, the informal phrase Vas-y carries the same meaning of urging someone to go. In formal contexts, as noted above, you would use Allez-y to mean 'go ahead'.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.le/
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, allez can be used to express skepticism or disbelief, functioning similarly to the English phrase 'come off it'.
- In Belgium, speakers often use allez as a sentence starter similar to how an English speaker uses 'well' or 'so' to begin a thought.
- Adding allez to the beginning of a command can transform a strict order into a gentle nudge, softening the tone for the listener.
Examples in context
- Les deux mots qu'on entend le plus dans la langue flamande sont « allez » et « voilà », deux mots français.The two words that we hear the most in the Flemish language are "allez" and "voilà", two French words.This sentence mentions that allez is one of the two most frequently heard French words in the Flemish language.Tatoeba #1173543 by sacredceltic, translation #1748943 by belgavox
- Si vous avez terminé, vous pouvez y allerIf you're done, you can go
- Allez, on y va!Come on, let's go!
- Allez, dépêche-toi, on va être en retard !Come on, hurry up, we are going to be late!
- Allez, essaie encore une fois !Go on, try one more time!
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are walking to a movie theater.
- LucasAllez, Manon, marche un peu plus vite !Come on, Manon, walk a little faster!
- ManonJ'arrive, j'ai juste mes chaussures à lacer.I'm coming, I just have to tie my shoes.
- LucasOn va rater le début du film.We are going to miss the beginning of the movie.
- ManonNe t'inquiète pas, Lucas, on a encore le temps.Don't worry, Lucas, we still have time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry allez, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
