Pronunciation: [o(n) nee va]
Meaning: wanna go?, let's go
Literal translation: we're going (there)
Register: informal
Notes: The French expression on y va is a quick and easy way to
- suggest an outing
- ask if others are ready to go
- announce that it's time to leave
- indicate the beginning of some activity
Son nouveau film va ouvrir demain. On y va ?
His new movie opens tomorrow. Wanna go? / Are we going?
Le taxi est arrivé, on y va ?
The taxi is here, (is everyone) ready to go?
Voilà, j'ai fait la vaisselle. On y va !
There, I did the dishes. Let's go!
Il faut choisir une chanson pour notre sketch. On y va.
We need to choose a song for our sketch. Let's do it, Let's get started, Here goes.
Synonyms
The first meaning can be expressed in various other ways, such as
Est-ce que tu veux y aller ? (Do you want to go?)
Ça te dit ? (Interested?)
On peut y aller si tu veux. (We can go if you like.)
You can ask if others are ready with Est-ce que tu es prêt / vous êtes prêt(s) ?
For both the third and fourth meanings, On y va can be replaced with Allons-y.
Post your comments about the French expression on y va on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.
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