Ways to say it
| German |
|---|
| komm schon |
| auf geht's |
In German, 'come on' can be used as an expression of encouragement. It can also function as an expression of disbelief, similar to how an English speaker might say 'Come on!' when they are skeptical. If you specifically want to say 'Let's go', you might use the informal expression Los geht's. If you want to say 'Come on, do it', you can use the informal phrase Los, mach schon.
Which one should you use?
While komm schon is used to urge someone to act or to express disbelief, auf geht's is used specifically to initiate an action or to cheer someone on, similar to 'let's go!'
How does it change in a sentence?
The form komm schon uses the singular imperative, making it appropriate when addressing one person informally. If you are addressing a group of people informally, you should use the plural imperative kommt schon instead.
Did you know?
- The word schon is a modal particle, a class of words in German that have no direct translation in English but change the emotional tone of a sentence.
- The word schon in komm schon is a relative of the German word schön meaning 'beautiful'.
- While komm schon can express disbelief, the tone is often conveyed by a rising intonation and a specific hand gesture, such as a slight wave of the hand.
Examples in context
- Komm schon raus da.Come on out of there.This sentence shows how to use komm schon to tell someone to come out of a place.Tatoeba #8328715 by MisterTrouser, translation #2886571 by CK
- Komm schon, wach auf!Come on, wake up.This sentence demonstrates using komm schon to encourage someone to wake up.Tatoeba #626804 by BraveSentry, translation #54227 by CK
- Komm schon, sag’s mir!Come on, tell me.This sentence illustrates using komm schon to urge someone to tell you something.Tatoeba #3759898 by Jens_Odo, translation #3733009 by CK
- Komm schon, wir müssen pünktlich zur Besprechung sein.Come on, we have to be on time for the meeting.
- Los geht's, wir verpassen sonst den Zug.Come on, we'll miss the train otherwise.
- Los, mach schon, sonst verpassen wir den Anfang des Films.Come on, do it, or we'll miss the beginning of the movie.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix is trying to convince Laura to join him for a run.
- FelixKomm schon, Laura, wir gehen jetzt los!Come on, Laura, we are leaving now!
- LauraIch bin noch viel zu müde.I am still much too tired.
- FelixKomm schon, das wird dir gut tun.Come on, it will do you good.
- LauraNa gut, du hast gewonnen.Fine, you won.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “come on” translations and entries auf geht's, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auf, schon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
