vete ya
/bete ʝa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "go now" is expressed as vete ya.
The phrase is an imperative used to tell someone to leave immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive imperative vete (go yourself) and the adverb ya (already/now).
Which one should you use?
While vete ya is informal, the formal version for a single person would be váyase ya. Other variations include vete ahora for an informal expression, or lárgate ahora if you wish to use a stronger tone. For a colloquial and playful effect, you might say pírate ahora, which translates more closely to "get out of here".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Vete ya is informal and is used with friends, family or people you know well. For polite situations, you can use Salga ahora or Váyase ahora. If you need a formal expression to ask someone to leave, use Retírese ahora.
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, ya can be used not just as 'now' but as a way to acknowledge that you have understood a command, effectively meaning 'I've got it'.
- The word ya is a linguistic sibling to the Portuguese já and the Catalan ja, all of which function similarly to indicate immediacy or completion.
- The formal command Retírese ahora is often used in official or military contexts, treating the act of leaving as a formal 'withdrawal' rather than just 'going'.
Examples in context
- Vete ya o perderás el autobús.Go now, or you'll miss the bus.This sentence shows how to use vete ya to warn someone about a consequence like missing a bus.Tatoeba #3198944 by Shishir, translation #2404935 by Mickey
- Por favor, salga ahoraPlease, go now
- Le rogamos que se retire ahoraWe kindly ask you to leave now
- Vete ahora, no te quiero ver aquíGo now, I don't want to see you here
- Lárgate ahora mismo, no puedo seguir hablando contigoGo away right now, I can't keep talking to you
- Pírate ahora, no quiero que estés aquíGet out of here, I don't want you here
- Vete ya, no quiero verte más.Go now, I don't want to see you anymore.
- Vete ya si no quieres llegar tarde.Go now if you don't want to be late.
Example conversation
Sofía is trying to leave for an appointment, but Mateo is talking too much.
- MateoSofía, ¿puedes hablar más tarde?Sofía, can you talk later?
- SofíaNo, tengo mucha prisa.No, I am in a big hurry.
- MateoEntonces vete ya, que te pierdes el tren.Then go now, or you will miss the train.
- SofíaTienes razón, ¡adiós!You're right, goodbye!
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
