Go and its French translations

We are lucky in English because we can have just one verb and combine it with other words to obtain new verbs! Unfortunately, when studying French, you need to learn them…

So, in this blog post, we will study together the verb go and its variations.

The verb To Go is versatile

First, the prime meaning of “to go” in French is aller.

This verb is irregular, yet we need it every day. Here is how the conjugation goes:

• je vais
• tu vas
• il / elle va
• nous allons
• vous allez
• ils / elles vont

If we go back to the English verb and add a preposition, we have a palette of other meanings:

• go up
• go down
• go through
• go off
• go over
• go with
• go in
• go out
• go under
• go on
• go round

In the following sections, you will learn how to translate each of them in French and how to play with them. 

The 2 different meanings of  “to go on” in French.

What is the context? Are the words together or separated?

Indeed, if we deal with the core verb and  the preposition of space, we talk about a means of transportation.

• Je vais en ville dans le bus >>> I’m going to town on the bus. 

However, if your intention is to motivate, it’s the phrasal verb that you need: go on = carry on.

• Vas-y, continue, je t’écoute >>> Come on, I’m listening. 

Note, in French, 2 verbs are required to translate the idea.

To go up: concrete or abstract ?

When it comes to the concrete meaning of “go up”, it means towards the sky.  

• Ne monte pas cet escalier >>> Don’t go up these stairs. 

But when the idea is more abstract, we express an achievement.

• C’est impressionant, tu es un vrai succès dans la société >>> My, you have gone up in the company.

So, on one hand the rise is physical, and on the other hand it’s metaphorical. 

What do you mean by go over?

In this case, the meaning differs immensely. The first core meaning is related to space:

• Traversez le pont et tournez à gauche >>> Go over the bridge and turn left. 

On the contrary, go over something can also express check, examine or explain something: 

• Peux-tu me l’expliquer de nouveau, s’il te plait? >>> Can you go over that again?

The context will definitely guide you.

To go through something: physically or mentally?

With the phrasal verb “to go through”, you either do it physically like this example:

• Je déteste passer par les tunnels >>> I hate going through tunnels. 

Or you express a difficult moment like the following:

• Elle est récemment passée par une période difficile >>> She’s gone through a difficult time lately.

As usual, the context serves as a reference.

How to use to go round.

The first idea of the phrasal verb “to go round” indicates a movement on your right or left of a corner like this:

• Prends le tournant ici >>> Go around the corner here.
  

But , there is also a meaning of visiting someone.

• Va chez ton ami >>> Go round your friend's house.
  

Understand the context and go for the right French verb.

The 3 diverse meanings of  “to go off”

The expression “off” allows us to have 3 specific meanings. The informal expression “to go off” refers to someone losing their temper:

• Il a pété de colère >>> He went off on one! 

But when we talk about food, it signifies to turn sour:

• Ce lait a vraiment tourné >>> That milk has really gone off.

Finally, this phrasal verb can also express when you start disliking something:

• J’aime plus le chocolat >>> I’ve gone off eating chocolate.

We could also add the idea of an explosion. As you can see, you’ll have to be very focused on the context in order to choose the right French equivalence. 

To go with and its 2 meanings.

Let’s start with the concrete meaning which is to accompany:

• Tu peux l’accompagner aux magasins? >>> Can you go with her to the shops?

However, it can refer to accepting something: 

• Et bien, je peux accepter cela >>> Hmmm, I can go with that.

So, ask yourself if it’s to accompany or accept.

Go for: which context?

First, you may want to decide something: 

• Je vais me promener >>> I’m going for a walk. 

Then, it could be choosing something:

• J’aime les choses comme ça >>> I go for things like that.

Another meaning is to fetch:

• Je vais chercher ma veste >>> I’m going for my jacket.

There are several other ways to use it: to attempt to gain something, to end up with a negative result, to attack. In other words, analyse the situation as much as you can before choosing an option.

The interesting phrasal verb of to go out.

To start, the preposition refers to the exterior, hence to exit like this:

• Je sors maintenant >>> I’m going out now. 

The second meaning involves a romantic relationship: 

• Francis sort avec Claire >>> Francis is going out with Claire

And the third one is metaphorical and expresses craziness: 

• Jacques est devenu fou! >>> Jacques is going out of his mind!

Be very careful of the context because the meanings are extremely different.

Go under: literally or metaphorically?

Once more we have an example where we should ask ourselves whether we mean physically like the following example or as an imagery like the second one.

• Le chat va sous la chaise pour dormir >>> The cat goes under the chair to sleep. 
• Il a été submergé par tout ce travail >>> He went under with so much work this week.

Simply check if the idea is about space or about a burden and you will be good.

The double meaning of to go in

The core meaning of to go in is to enter like this:

• Entrez par cette porte >>> Go in through this door.

However, this phrasal verb can also signify to like:

• J’aime les choses comme ça >>> I go in for things like that.

As usual, the context is key. Then, you are able to pick the right French verb.

The verb to go and all its translations.

As we have seen it, there is always a core meaning which is the concrete one. With the verb to go, it usually implies an indication about space and movement.

Then, we can have a second or more meanings that have nothing to do with the first one. They generally express a metaphor, an abstract idea…

So, let’s review all the different meanings with our verb to go:

• go up >>> monter physiquement ; monter socialement
• go down >>> descendre
• go through >>> passer par 
• go off >>> péter de colère ; tourner ; ne plus aimer
• go for >>> aller pour…; aimer ; aller chercher
• go over >>> traverser ; expliquer
• go with >>> accompagner ; accepter
• go in >>> entrer ; aimer
• go out >>> sortir ; sortir avec quelqu’un ; devenir fou
• go under >>> aller sous ; être submergé
• go on >>> aller dans… ; vas-y / allez-y…
• go round >>> tourner 

As a conclusion the verb to go is irregular, yet used everyday. It’s an incredible verb that can combine with many prepositions and create another meaning. Your job is to analyse the context in order to choose the perfect French translation.

So, which one is harder for you to remember in French? Easier?