vete ya
/bete ʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "go away now" can be translated into Spanish as vete ya.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to leave a place immediately. Depending on your tone and the relationship you have with the person, it can sound blunt or even rude.
What does it mean word for word?
The word vete is the imperative form of the reflexive verb irse (to go away/to leave), and ya means "now".
Which one should you use?
While vete ya is a direct command, adding please by saying vete, por favor makes the request more polite.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form vete ya is informal. Other informal options include vete ahora or the more dismissive and colloquial pírate ahora. If you wish to express stronger frustration or annoyance, you can use lárgate ahora. In formal situations, use por favor, retírese ahora to say "please, leave now" or por favor, aléjese ahora to say "please, step away now".
How does it change in a sentence?
Vete ya is the informal singular imperative, used when speaking to one person with whom you have a familiar relationship (tú).
Did you know?
- The command lárgate comes from the verb largar, which originally meant to loosen or let out a rope, suggesting a forceful 'letting go' of the person.
- The word ya is a distant relative of the French word déjà, which is why English speakers recognize the term 'déjà vu'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase pírate is related to the word for 'pirate', reflecting a colloquial sense of 'sneaking away' or disappearing.
Examples in context
- Vete ahora, no quiero verte aquí.Go away now, I don't want to see you here.
- Por favor, retírese ahora. Este no es un lugar adecuado para su presencia.Please, leave now. This is not an appropriate place for your presence.
- ¡Vete ya de mi vista!Get out of my sight now!
- No quiero verte más, vete ya.I don't want to see you anymore, go away now.
- Vete ya de la casa.Leave the house right now.
Example conversation
Sofía is angry and wants Daniel to leave her room.
- Sofía¡No quiero hablar contigo!I don't want to talk to you!
- Daniel¿Pero por qué estás tan enfadada?But why are you so angry?
- Sofía¡Vete ya, Daniel!Go away now, Daniel!
- DanielEstá bien, me voy.Fine, I'm leaving.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
