vamos
/ˈbamos/
The Spanish phrase for "we go" is vamos.
vamos is used to suggest that a group of people leave a place or start an activity together. While it literally translates to "we go," it is frequently used as an exclamatory suggestion meaning "let's go" or "come on".
Which one should you use?
The expression nos dirigimos is a formal way to indicate "we go".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase vamos a dar una vuelta is used to mean "we go for a walk," and vámonos de marcha can be translated as "let's go partying." In some Latin American countries like Mexico, vamos a echarle ganas means "we are going to give it our all." In Argentina and Uruguay, vamos a patear el tablero translates to "we are going to shake things up."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase vamos a followed by an infinitive is used to express the near future, similar to "we are going to" in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbamos/
Did you know?
- Although vamos is the standard present tense, it actually evolved from the Latin subjunctive mood, replacing the original Spanish indicative form imos.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear the word pronounced as bamos with a 'b' sound instead of a 'v'.
- In Spanish, vamos is often used as a filler word or an interjection to express impatience or disbelief, similar to saying 'come on' or 'give me a break' in English.
Examples in context
- Vamos a la misma escuela.We go to the same school.This sentence shows how to use vamos to describe going to a school.Tatoeba #692736 by Shishir, translation #249116 by CK
- ¿Cuándo nos vamos a casa?When will we go home?This sentence uses vamos to ask about the timing of going home.Tatoeba #1580244 by marcelostockle, translation #1580207 by fanty
- Vamos al trabajo en subte.We go to work by subway.This sentence illustrates using vamos to describe a method of transport to work.Tatoeba #1829249 by hayastan, translation #1828465 by Amastan
- Nos dirigimos a la conferencia en unos minutos.We are heading to the conference in a few minutes.
- ¡Vamos al cine!Let's go to the movies!
- ¡Nos vamos de vacaciones!We are going on vacation!
- ¡Vamos, adelante!Let's go, onwards!
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are finishing a meal at a restaurant.
- ElenaLa cena estuvo muy buena.The dinner was very good.
- DanielSí, ya es tarde. ¿Vamos?Yes, it is late already. Shall we go?
- ElenaSí, vamos ahora.Yes, let's go now.
- DanielPerfecto, yo pago la cuenta.Perfect, I will pay the bill.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vamos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vamos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
