ve allí
/be aʝi/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "go there" is ve allí.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to move to a specific location.
Which one should you use?
While ve allí is a direct way to say "go there", you may also encounter Vete para allá which means "go over there" or Anda para allá which means "go towards there". In formal contexts, you might use Diríjase hacia allá or Diríjase allá to mean "head towards there" or Acuda a ese lugar to say "go to that place".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form vayan allí is used to command a group of people in Latin America, or when using the formal ustedes in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
You should use the form vaya allí instead of ve allí when you are addressing someone using the formal usted.
How do you pronounce it?
/be aʝi/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the command ve can be confusing because it is also the imperative form of the verb 'to see'. Depending on the context, you might be telling someone to 'go' or to 'look'.
- The word ve comes from the Latin vādō, which means 'to walk' or 'to stride'. This is the same root that gives English the word 'vadose' in geology.
- The word allí specifically refers to a place far from both the speaker and the listener. If the place is near the listener, a Spanish speaker would switch to ahí.
Examples in context
- Si no tienes más preguntas, ve allí.If you have no further questions, go there.This sentence shows how to use ve allí if someone has no more questions.Tatoeba #10696384 by Shishir, translation #10696181 by tokzyk
- Ve allí conmigo.Go there with me.This sentence shows how to use ve allí when asking someone to go somewhere with you.Tatoeba #6601692 by arh, translation #772790 by marloncori
- Vaya allí y pregunte por el Sr. García.Go there and ask for Mr. García.
- Diríjase hacia allá y encontrará la oficina de turismo.Head towards there, and you'll find the tourist office.
- Acuda a ese lugar para obtener más información.Go to that place to get more information.
- Ve allí y avísame si necesitas algo.Go there and let me know if you need anything.
- Vete para allá y busca a María.Go over there and look for María.
- Vete allá y trae la botella.Go there and bring the bottle.
- Ve allí para buscar el libro.Go there to look for the book.
Example conversation
A living room where Javier is giving instructions to Elena.
- JavierElena, ve allí ahora.Elena, go there now.
- Elena¿Quieres que vaya a la cocina?Do you want me to go to the kitchen?
- JavierSí, ve allí y trae la llave.Yes, go there and bring the key.
- ElenaEstá bien, iré enseguida.Okay, I will go right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries allí, ve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
