vamos
What is the opposite of vamos? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.
Interjection — Let's go; come on. Used to urge people to move, to start something, or as a shout of encouragement or triumph, especially in sport.
How to use vamos
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
vamos!
vamos a ver
¡vamos, vamos!
Energetic and informal; strongly associated with sport and with encouragement.
Etymology
Spanish, first-person plural of ir 'to go', meaning 'we go' or 'let's go'.
Full origin of vamos →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between vamos and vámonos?
'Vamos' means 'let's go' in the sense of let's get moving or let's do this, and works as a general rallying cry. 'Vámonos' uses the reflexive irse and specifically means 'let's leave this place'. On a tennis court you shout vamos; when you want to leave a dull party you say vámonos.
Why do tennis players shout vamos?
It is a standard Spanish-language cry of self-encouragement, made famous internationally by Spanish and Latin American players. It functions like the French 'allez' or the Italian 'forza' and has been picked up by fans of every nationality.
Is vamos used in English?
Yes, as a borrowed exclamation. English speakers use it playfully to mean 'let's go', much as they use 'ciao' or 'bon voyage', without necessarily speaking Spanish.
