Difference between ‘Vamos’ and ‘Vámonos’ in Spanish | Tell Me In Spanish (2023)

For many new and experienced Spanish learners,let's goandlet's gomay appear to mean the same thing. However, these words come from different forms of the same verb and, as a result, they have different purposes and meanings. Since they can’t be applied in the same contexts, many Spanish learners wonder what’s the difference between ‘vamos’ and ‘vámonos’ in Spanish.

‘Vamos’ is the verb'and'in one of its present tense forms. It means ‘we go’. It is also used as an expression to cheer someone on. In this context, ‘vamos’ could mean ‘go’ or ‘come on’.‘Vámonos’ is the imperative form of ‘irse’. It means ‘let’s leave’ or ‘let’s go’.

When learning Spanish, it’s difficult to see the difference in meaning between ‘vamos’ and ‘vámonos’. But since these words are quite popular and commonly used on a daily basis, it’s important to learn when to apply each of them, respectively.

For that reason, in the following sections, we’ll explain to you the difference between these words. Additionally, we’ll provide you with examples so you have a better idea about the context where you can use them. By the end of this, you will have a better understanding of ‘vamos’ and ‘vámonos’.

What’s the Difference Between ‘Vamos’ and ‘Vámonos’ in Spanish?

Although they look almost the same, ‘vamos’ and ‘vámonos’ are not synonyms. In fact, each one of these verbs has its own meaning and, therefore, you need to apply them in different contexts. For starters, these words come from different verbs:

Let's go =Go – Present tense conjugation for ‘us’.

let's go =Irse – Reflexive and imperative form for ‘nosotros’.

As one of the conjugations of ‘ir’, in Spanish,let's gomeans ‘to go’. We use ‘vamos’ to express thatweare leading ourselves or going somewhere. Depending on the context, ‘vamos’ could also be used as an expression to ‘cheer on’ someone. As a result, it could also be translated as‘go, go’, ‘let’s go’or‘come on’.Finally, ‘vamos’ could also be used to build sentences in the future tense.

karina and melet's gowhose
Karina and I aregoingto the movies

¡C'mon C'mon! two more minutes
Let’s go, let’s go!Two more minutes

As an imperative form of ‘irse’, we uselet's goto let our companions know that it’s time forall of usto leave a place. Depending on the speaker’s tone of voice, ‘vámonos’ could be perceived as a demand, suggestion, or request. It could be translated as ‘let’s go’ or‘let’s leave’.

Yeslet's go,David! It's late and I have to work tomorrow
Let’s gonow, David! It’s late and I have to work tomorrow

In the following sections, we’ll talk more in-depth about how to use these words as well as the phrase structures that you may need.

Related Resource:How to Use Ya in Spanish

When & How to Use ‘Vamos’ in Spanish

In Spanish, ‘vamos’ is the present tense conjugation for ‘nosotros’. ‘Vamos’ comes from ‘ir’, as a result, this verb is expressing that you and someone else areleadingorgoingsomewhere. ‘Ir’ is the direct translation of ‘to go’, therefore, ‘vamos’ would be ‘we go’.

Let's + [la/el] + [place]

My cousins ​​and Ilet's goto the beach every weekend
My cousins and Igoto the beach every weekend

Sebastian, Mateo and melet's goto Ángel's house to study
Sebastian, Mateo and Igoto Angel’s house to study

Oye, ¿let's goPatrick's birthday or do you have something to do?
Hey, should wegoto Patrick’s birthday party or do you have something to do?

Take Note:When used to pose a question, ‘vamos’ is not describing activities or routines. Instead, it’s proposing someone else to do an activity.

Although this is a common way to use ‘vamos’, there are also other contexts that you should be familiar with since they’re quite popular in Spanish.

Talking about the Future

One common way to use ‘vamos’ in Spanish is to talk about future events. In this context, ‘vamos a’ means ‘to go to’. Here is the phrase structure that you need to use for this situation:

Let's + [infinitive verb]

Next month Charlie and Iwe are going togo to Mexico
Next month Charlie and I aregoing toMexico

laura and mewe are going tovisit Mara next month
Laura and I aregoing tovisit Mara next month

Tomorrowwe are going toand to the movies orwe are going toleave for another day?
Are wegoing tothe movies tomorrow or are wegoing toleave for another day?

Take Note:You can also use the phrase structures above to talk about future places you’regoing to go to. In this case, you will need to use time expressions related to the future such as ‘tomorrow', 'next week',etc.

Cheering Someone on

In some contexts, ‘vamos’ is also used as an expression toencourage or cheer on someone. As a result, in this case’, ‘vamos’ could either mean ‘come on’, ‘let’s go’ or ‘go! go!’. Here are some examples:

Let's go,Miriam! two more laps
Come on, Miriam! Two more laps

Come on, come on, guys!We almost have the project ready
Let’s go, let’s go, guys!We almost have the project ready

When & How to Use ‘Vámonos’ in Spanish

‘Vámonos’ is an imperative form of the verb ‘irse’ (to leave)and it’s conjugated for the first plural person (us – we).In Spanish, you use ‘vámonos’ to tell your friends or companions that it is time for youallto leave the place where you are right now. Therefore, ‘vámonos’ could be either translated as ‘let’s leave’ or ‘let’s go’.

When using ‘vámonos’ in Spanish, keep in mind that:

• ‘Vámonos’ can be used to request, suggest, or demandto leave a place.
• This word is referring to a plural person. Use it when you come or you’re leaving withsomeone(or a group of friends).
• It implies that the action (to leave)needs to happen right now.
• You don’t need to add the pronoun ‘nosotros’ since it’s already part of ‘vámonos’.

Related Resource:How to Use Reflexive Verbs in Spanish

Examples of How to Use Vámonos in Spanish

Hey, darling, if you want nowlet's go
Hey, sweetie,let’s leaveif you want

Let's goplease i don't feel well
Please,let’s leave,I don’t feel very well

¡Derek!Let's go!The movie starts in five minutes.
¡Derek!Let’s go!The movie starts in five minutes

Take Note:As an imperative form, sometimes ‘vámonos’ can be perceived as too aggressive or too demanding. In order to soften your sentences and make them sound like asuggestion, you need to add ‘if you like'or'If they want'to your statement.This is especially useful when you notice that your companion is not comfortable in that place anymore.

Kate, if you want nowlet's gothe children look very tired
Kate,let’s leaveif you want, the children look to tired

Wrapping Up

‘Vamos’ and ‘vámonos’ can be confusing for new and experienced Spanish learners since both verbs look like different forms of the verb ‘ir’. That’s why in this article, we discussed the differences between these words as well as the most common contexts where you can apply them. Here are some key points that should always keep in mind:

Let's go

• It refers to ‘nosotros’ (we) and it’s the present tense of the verband
• Expresses that you and other people are going or leading somewhere. It means‘to go’.
• As a form of ‘ir’, ‘vamos’ can be used to talk about future events. It means ‘to go to’.
• It can also be used as an expression to cheer on someone. It means ‘go, go’, ‘come on’, ‘let’s go’.

Let's go

• It refers to ‘nosotros’ (we), but it’s the reflexive and imperative form of the verb'leave' (to leave).
• Expresses a demand, request or suggestionto leave the placewhere you and your companions are.
• It has a sense of urgency and implies that the action needs to happenimmediately.
• It doesn’t needto be preceded by the pronoun ‘nosotros’.

Related Resources

• What’s the difference between: Ir vs Irse