French Phrase
On y va ?
Meaning
This phrase is the quintessential French expression for suggesting it is time to leave or to begin a task. While it literally translates to 'One there goes', it is used colloquially to mean 'Let's go' or 'Are we off?'.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are ready to head out of a location with others or when you want to signal the start of an activity. It is common in informal and semi-formal social settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onyva?
On
The indefinite pronoun used here as an informal substitute for 'nous' (we).
y
An adverbial pronoun meaning 'there', referring to the destination or the activity at hand.
va
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'aller' (to go).
🗨In Conversation
Le taxi est arrivé devant la maison.
The taxi has arrived in front of the house.
Super, on y va ?
Great, shall we go?
✕Common Mistakes
On va ?
The pronoun 'y' is essential in this idiom to represent the destination or the action.
Nous y allons ?
While grammatically correct, this is often too formal for casual spoken conversation.
↔Alternatives
Allons-y !
Let's go!
On bouge ?
Shall we move/head out?
C'est parti !
Here we go / Let's get started!
Cultural Tip
In modern spoken French, 'on' has almost entirely replaced 'nous' for the meaning of 'we'. Using 'On y va ?' instead of more formal constructions will make you sound much more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.