vamos

/BA-mos/

A group of friends walking together on a path towards a sunny park, representing the action of 'we are going'.

Here, 'vamos' is used to state a fact: that 'we go' or 'we are going' somewhere.

vamos (Verb)

A1irregular ir
we go?describing a routine action
Also:we are going?describing an action happening now or in the near future

📝 In Action

Todos los domingos vamos al mercado.

A1

Every Sunday we go to the market.

Vamos a la playa mañana si hace buen tiempo.

A1

We are going to the beach tomorrow if the weather is nice.

Normalmente vamos en coche, pero hoy vamos a pie.

A2

Normally we go by car, but today we are going on foot.

Related Words

Synonyms

  • nos dirigimos (we head towards)

Antonyms

  • venimos (we come)
  • nos quedamos (we stay)

Common Collocations

  • vamos de compraswe go shopping
  • vamos de viajewe go on a trip
  • vamos a piewe go on foot

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

yovoy
vas
él/ella/ustedva
nosotrosvamos
vosotrosvais
ellos/ellas/ustedesvan

preterite

yofui
fuiste
él/ella/ustedfue
nosotrosfuimos
vosotrosfuisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesfueron

imperfect

yoiba
ibas
él/ella/ustediba
nosotrosíbamos
vosotrosibais
ellos/ellas/ustedesiban

subjunctive

present

yovaya
vayas
él/ella/ustedvaya
nosotrosvayamos
vosotrosvayáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesvayan

imperfect

yofuera
fueras
él/ella/ustedfuera
nosotrosfuéramos
vosotrosfuerais
ellos/ellas/ustedesfueran

💡 Grammar Points

Talking About the Future

A super common way to talk about the near future is using 'vamos a' + another verb. For example, 'vamos a comer' means 'we are going to eat'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Vamos' vs. 'Vayamos'

Mistake: "Usando 'vayamos' cuando quieres decir 'we go'."

Correction: Usa 'vamos' para decir lo que está pasando ('We go to the store'). 'Vayamos' es una forma especial para deseos o dudas, como en 'Espero que vayamos' ('I hope that we go').

One person standing by an open door, gesturing with their hand for a friend to follow them out.

As a suggestion or friendly command, 'vamos' is the perfect way to say 'let's go' and get a group moving.

vamos (Verb (Suggestion/Command))

A1
let's go?making a suggestion to leave or start something
Also:shall we go?phrased as a question

📝 In Action

La película empieza pronto. ¡Vamos!

A1

The movie starts soon. Let's go!

¿Vamos al cine esta noche?

A2

Shall we go to the movies tonight?

Vamos, que llegamos tarde.

A2

Let's go, we're running late.

Related Words

Synonyms

  • vámonos (let's get out of here)

💡 Grammar Points

A Friendly Command for 'Us'

'Vamos' is the special command form for 'nosotros' (we/us). It's used to invite people to do something together, making it sound like a suggestion, not a strict order.

⭐ Usage Tips

Making Plans Easily

This is the easiest way to suggest an activity. Just say 'Vamos a...' and add what you want to do. 'Vamos a comer' (Let's eat), 'Vamos a caminar' (Let's walk).

A fan at a sports game cheering enthusiastically, representing encouragement and excitement.

Shouted on its own, '¡Vamos!' is a burst of energy, used to cheer someone on or express excitement.

vamos (Interjection)

A2
come on?encouragement or impatience
Also:let's go?as a cheer, e.g., for a team,hurry up?expressing impatience

📝 In Action

¡Vamos, tú puedes hacerlo!

A2

Come on, you can do it!

¡Vamos, equipo! ¡A ganar!

B1

Let's go, team! Let's win!

¡Pero vamos! ¿Todavía no estás listo?

B1

Come on! You're still not ready?

Related Words

Synonyms

  • venga (come on)
  • dale (go for it / come on)
  • ándale (come on / hurry up (esp. Mexico))

⭐ Usage Tips

Listen to the Tone

The meaning of '¡Vamos!' as an exclamation depends entirely on your tone of voice. It can be happy and encouraging, or frustrated and impatient.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: vamos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'vamos' to mean 'Come on!' as encouragement?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ir(to go) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'vamos' and 'vámonos'?

They are very similar! 'Vamos' means 'Let's go'. 'Vámonos' adds a little more urgency, like 'Let's get out of here' or 'Let's leave now'. You use 'vámonos' when the main point is leaving the place you are currently in.

Why do people say 'vamos' for 'let's go' instead of 'vayamos'?

It's a special rule in Spanish. For the verb 'ir' (to go), the 'let's...' command form uses the regular present tense form ('vamos') instead of the special command form ('vayamos'). This makes it one of the easiest commands to learn!