tu peux y aller
The English phrase "you can go" is translated into French as tu peux y aller.
This phrase is used to give someone permission to leave a place. Depending on the context, it can imply "you can go ahead" or "you can go there".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject tu (you), the conjugated verb peux (can/are able to), the adverb y (there) and the infinitive aller (to go).
Which one should you use?
While tu peux y aller often implies "you can go ahead" or "you can go there", the alternative tu peux partir specifically emphasizes the act of departing or leaving a location.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a stranger, a superior or a group, use vous pouvez y aller instead of tu peux y aller. For a polite question such as "Can you go?", you can invert the verb and pronoun to say Pouvez-vous partir.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tu peux y aller.You can go.This example shows the standard way to say "You can go."Tatoeba #474834 by sacredceltic, translation #1553295 by CK
- Tu peux y aller, je ferai semblant de rien.You can go ahead, I'll pretend not to see anything.This example demonstrates how the phrase can mean "You can go ahead."Tatoeba #934679 by sacredceltic, translation #11951556 by zogwarg
- Tu peux y aller, mais tu devras faire attention à tout moment.You can go there, but you'll need to be careful the whole time.This example shows the use of the phrase to mean "You can go there."Tatoeba #8553358 by Aiji, translation #2242727 by AlanF_US
- Vous pouvez partir maintenant si vous voulez.You can go now if you want.
- S'il vous plaît, vous pouvez y aller dès que possible.Please, you can go as soon as possible.
- Tu peux partir quand tu veux.You can go whenever you want.
- Allez-y, je vous rejoindrai plus tard.Go on, I'll join you later.
- Vas-y, je te suis.Go ahead, I'll follow you.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are finishing a meeting at work.
- HugoJ'ai fini de vérifier tes documents.I have finished checking your documents.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Hugo.Thank you very much, Hugo.
- HugoDe rien, tu peux y aller maintenant.You're welcome, you can go now.
- EmmaÀ demain !See you tomorrow!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, tu, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
