interjection
vamos
VAH-mohs
Vamos (interjection) means 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. Example: “Vamos! He punched the air after saving the break point.”
interjection
1
borrowed from Spanish; informal in English 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.
"Vamos! He punched the air after saving the break point."
"Vamos, chicos, the bus leaves in five minutes."
verb
1
In Spanish, the first-person plural present of ir, meaning 'we go' or 'we are going'.
"Vamos al mercado los sábados."
How to use vamos
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Spanish way of shouting 'let's go!'
When to use it
Energetic and informal; strongly associated with sport and with encouragement.
Memory tip
In Spanish it is written with an accent-free 'vamos' but often framed by inverted exclamation marks: ¡Vamos!
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
vámonos
vamonos
allez
andale
Common pairings
vamos!
vamos a ver
¡vamos, vamos!
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_____! He punched the air after saving the break point.
Etymology
Spanish, first-person plural of ir 'to go', meaning 'we go' or 'let's go'.
Synonyms
View more →
let's go
come on
allez
andiamo
Related words
Rhymes for vamos
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of vamos?
"vamos" (interjection) means 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.
