Every great journey begins with a single step — or a single word: “Go.”
When I first studied Spanish, the verb “ir” seemed simple enough. But in reality, it opened doors not just to language, but to movement, motivation, and freedom.
Think about it — every time you tell someone to go somewhere, you’re not just giving direction; you’re inspiring action. Across cultures, this word carries energy, purpose, and even emotion.
Let’s begin our journey by learning how to say “go” in Spanish, and then discover how this universal expression takes shape in dozens of other languages and traditions.
📚 What Does “Go” Mean in Spanish?
The Spanish word for “go” is “ir” (pronounced eer).
It’s an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation changes depending on the subject:
| Subject | Form of “Go” (Ir) | Example Sentence | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | voy | Yo voy al mercado. | I go to the market. |
| Tú | vas | Tú vas a la escuela. | You go to school. |
| Él / Ella | va | Ella va al trabajo. | She goes to work. |
| Nosotros | vamos | Vamos juntos. | We go together. |
| Vosotros | vais | ¿Vais al cine? | Are you (plural) going to the cinema? |
| Ellos | van | Ellos van de viaje. | They are going on a trip. |
In Spain and Latin America, “ir” expresses not just movement, but intention — a mindset of moving forward, pursuing dreams, and embracing change.
🌍 Table of “Go” in Different Languages
| Language | Word/Phrase for “Go” | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Ir | Means “to go”; represents both movement and intention. |
| English | Go | Rooted in Old English “gān,” meaning “to travel or move.” |
| French | Aller | Used for both physical and emotional movement. |
| Italian | Andare | Expresses both literal and figurative “going.” |
| German | Gehen | Refers to walking or moving on foot. |
| Portuguese | Ir | Same Latin root as Spanish “ir.” |
| Arabic | Yadhhab (يذهب) | Common in daily speech; often used in polite conversation. |
| Japanese | Iku (行く) | Deeply tied to purpose and journey in Japanese culture. |
| Mandarin (Chinese) | Qù (去) | Means “to go” or “to leave”; part of many idioms. |
| Hindi | Jānā (जाना) | Used both literally and spiritually (“to go toward enlightenment”). |
| Swahili | Kuenda | Common in East Africa; implies journey and life’s path. |
| Zulu | Hamba | Means “go”; also used to say goodbye (“Hamba kahle” — go well). |
| Russian | Idti (идти) | Refers to walking; variations express direction and purpose. |
| Greek | Pao (Πάω) | Derived from ancient roots meaning “to move forward.” |
| Turkish | Gitmek | Means “to go”; expresses departure and determination. |
🇪🇺 How to Say “Go” in European Languages
Europe’s languages share common Latin roots that give “go” rich depth.
- French – Aller: Symbolizes movement, but also growth — “aller de l’avant” means “to move forward.”
- Italian – Andare: Reflects both physical and emotional journeys.
- German – Gehen: Used in phrases like “Es geht” (it goes) to mean “it’s okay.”
- Greek – Pao: Often used in everyday expressions of progress.
- Portuguese – Ir: Similar to Spanish “ir,” emphasizing direction and purpose.
European greetings of motion are often poetic — about progress, forward-thinking, and change.
🌏 How to Say “Go” in Asian Languages
Asia brings a beautiful range of meanings to the word “go.”
- Japanese – Iku (行く): Implies destiny or purpose; often used in anime and literature to symbolize life’s path.
- Mandarin Chinese – Qù (去): Means “to go” or “depart”; appears in idioms about change and movement.
- Korean – Gada (가다): Expresses leaving with emotion — “잘 가” (jal ga) means “go well.”
- Hindi – Jānā (जाना): A versatile word meaning both “go” and “to die,” showing life’s cyclical nature.
- Arabic – Yadhhab (يذهب): A common verb meaning “to go,” reflecting motion and respect in conversation.
- Turkish – Gitmek: Used both for movement and motivation — “Git!” can mean “Go ahead!”
- Thai – Pai (ไป): A light, melodic word that reflects Thailand’s friendly communication style.
- Vietnamese – Đi: Short and gentle; often used to express travel or progress.
In Asia, “go” often carries a deeper, philosophical meaning — not just motion, but evolution.
🌍 How to Say “Go” in African Languages
African languages treat “go” as a concept of movement, life, and blessing.
- Swahili – Kuenda: Central to travel and storytelling traditions.
- Zulu – Hamba: Used in everyday greetings like “Hamba kahle” (go well).
- Yoruba – Lo: Short and powerful, expressing action and decisiveness.
- Amharic – Hed: Means “go” but also implies departure with purpose.
- Akan – Kɔ: Often used in proverbs encouraging action.
- Somali – Tag: Direct and energetic, like much of Somali culture.
- Shona – Enda: Symbolizes forward motion and change.
- Hausa – Tafi: Means “go”; part of many traditional blessings.
Across Africa, the idea of “going” is intertwined with community — each journey affects everyone.
🌺 How to Say “Go” in Indigenous & Island Languages
- Hawaiian – Hele: Means “to go, walk, travel”; tied to the spiritual journey of life.
- Maori – Haere: Used in “Haere mai” (come) and “Haere rā” (goodbye) — life’s movement in both directions.
- Samoan – Alu: Simple, rhythmic, and musical in tone.
- Cherokee – Osi: Expresses gentle movement or going peacefully.
- Tahitian – Haere: Related to the Maori “Haere”; often used in chants and songs.
- Fijian – Lako: A versatile term for going, walking, or moving forward.
- Tagalog – Punta: Means “to go toward” — directional and goal-focused.
- Inuit – Aullaq: Reflects travel across vast snowy lands — movement as survival.
In these cultures, “go” isn’t just about physical travel — it’s about the journey of being.
💬 Cultural Insights: “Go” as a Symbol of Life
Across civilizations, “go” has symbolized motion, growth, and courage.
In Spanish, “ir” embodies ambition — the drive to move ahead.
In Zulu, it’s a farewell; in Japanese, a destiny.
The power of “go” lies in its universality: no matter where we come from, we all understand the language of movement.
🌸 Proverbs & Sayings About “Going”
- Spanish: “El que no avanza, retrocede.” — “He who does not go forward, goes backward.”
- Japanese: “If you do not go, you will not arrive.”
- Zulu: “Hamba kahle” — “Go well.”
- Turkish: “Gitmek cesaret ister.” — “Going takes courage.”
- English: “Go the extra mile.”
These sayings show that “going” is more than action — it’s courage in motion.
❓ FAQs
Q1: What is the Spanish word for “go”?
The Spanish word for “go” is “ir”, meaning “to move” or “to travel.”
Q2: How do you pronounce “ir” in Spanish?
Pronounced eer, with a soft “i” sound.
Q3: Is “ir” a regular or irregular verb?
It’s an irregular verb — its forms change depending on the subject.
Q4: What’s the difference between “ir” and “irse”?
“Ir” means “to go,” while “irse” means “to leave” or “to go away.”
Q5: What’s a common Spanish phrase using “ir”?
“Vamos!” — meaning “Let’s go!” — is one of the most famous and motivating phrases in Spanish.
❤️ Conclusion: Keep Going — In Any Language
From “ir” in Spanish to “hamba” in Zulu and “haere” in Maori, every version of “go” tells the same story: motion, growth, and courage.
Learning how to say “go” in Spanish is just the start. What matters most is what it inspires you to do — to travel, explore, and connect.
🌟 Now it’s your turn:
How do you say “go” in your language? Drop your word below — and let’s create a world map of movement and meaning together! 🌍
