How to Say “Can We Go” in French

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on peut y aller
In French, "can we go" is translated as on peut y aller.
This phrase is used as a request or suggestion to leave a place and move to another destination.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase on peut y aller literally translates to "one can there go".

Which one should you use?

While on peut y aller can be a question (with rising intonation), it is also the standard way to state "we can go" or "we are ready to go". To use it as a question, apply a rising intonation at the end of the sentence.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For informal situations, you can use On peut y aller ? by using rising intonation or Est-ce qu'on peut partir ? For more formal contexts, use Pouvons-nous partir? or Est-ce que nous pouvons partir ?

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase on peut y aller, the pronoun on is used to mean "we", which is very common in spoken French. The word y acts as a pronoun meaning "there", referring to the destination previously implied or mentioned.

Did you know?

  • The word y in this phrase descends from the Latin word hīc, which originally meant 'here' rather than 'there'.
  • The word y is also called i grec, which translates to 'Greek i', because it refers to the Greek letter upsilon.

Examples in context

  • Excusez-moi, pouvons-nous partir maintenant ?
    Excuse me, can we go now?
  • Est-ce que nous pouvons partir dès maintenant ?
    Can we leave right now?
  • Allez ! On peut y aller maintenant ?
    Come on! Can we go now?
  • Est-ce qu'on peut partir tout de suite ?
    Can we leave right away?
  • Si tu es prête, on peut y aller.
    If you are ready, we can go.
  • On peut y aller pour éviter les bouchons.
    We can go now to avoid the traffic jams.

Example conversation

Chloé and Lucas are at a cafe and are ready to leave.

  1. Chloé

    J'ai fini mon café, on peut y aller ?
    I've finished my coffee, can we go?
  2. Lucas

    Oui, je suis prêt.
    Yes, I am ready.
  3. Chloé

    On prend le bus ou on marche ?
    Are we taking the bus or walking?
  4. Lucas

    On peut y aller à pied.
    We can go on foot.

Sources

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Allan Rhys
Allan RhysHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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