How to Say "We Are Going" in French

on y va

In French, "we are going" is on y va.

The phrase is used to suggest that it is time to leave or to start an activity. It is frequently used as an exclamation to mean "Let's go!" or "Let's get started!"

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, on y va translates to "one goes there", composed of on (one/we), y (there) and va (goes/is going).

Which one should you use?

While on y va is the common everyday way to express this, nous y allons is a more formal alternative. If you wish to emphasize the act of moving towards a specific destination, you might use the formal expression Nous nous rendons. For a way to say "we are going", you can use On part.

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

On y va is the common, informal way to say "we are going" or "let's go" in everyday conversation. For more formal situations, use nous y allons or Nous nous rendons. In very casual settings, particularly among friends, you may hear On se casse.

How does it change in a sentence?

By using a rising intonation at the end of on y va, the phrase becomes a question meaning "Shall we go?" or "Are we going?"

Did you know?

While on y va is used to start an activity, the casual alternative on se casse literally translates to 'we are breaking ourselves'.
The word va comes from the Latin vādō, which is the same root that gives English the word 'evade'.
In some informal Québécois French, the word y can function as a contraction for 'he' or 'they', which is quite different from its standard role in on y va.

Examples in context

On y va en train.
We are going by train.
This sentence is useful for showing how to specify a mode of transport with on y va.
Tatoeba #10511529 by lbdx, translation #2706681 by CC
Nous partons pour Paris demain matin.
We are going to Paris tomorrow morning.
Nous nous dirigeons vers la réunion.
We are going towards the meeting.
Nous nous rendons à l'aéroport en voiture.
We are going to the airport by car.
On part en vacances demain.
We are going on vacation tomorrow.
On partira demain pour la plage.
We'll be going to the beach tomorrow.
On y va maintenant ?
Are we going now?
Allez, on y va !
Come on, let's go!

Example conversation

Emma and Nathan are ready to leave for a movie.

Emma

Le film commence bientôt, on y va ?
The movie starts soon, shall we go?
Nathan

Oui, je prends mes clés.
Yes, I'll grab my keys.
Emma

D'accord, on y va !
Okay, let's go!
Nathan

C'est parti.
Here we go.

Sources

Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “We Are Going” in French