How to say le's go or whatever?

Question

Hola amigos. I wonder how to say let's + verb (go, eat, play...). Gracias y saludos

Edited to be compatible with IntenetExplorer formatting. Please do not use double quote (" ") marks in the question box. - Moe, Nov 21, 2011

Answer 1

Vamos a ir, comer, jugar... used in familiar situations.

Comamos, juguemos, hablemos... used in more formal settings.

Answer 2

instead of saying "vamos a hablar" you can certainly say "hablemos." I would say "vamos a" is more common, but that doesn't mean it's any better

It may not be better but the two mean different things. "vamos a hablar" means we'll talk / we are going to talk (a simple prediction about the future). "hablemos" is the subjunctive (technically it's called the "the hortatory subjunctive") and means "let's talk". It is an exhortation/suggestion/urging that we talk.

Some people (generally not grammarians) consider it to be a "kind" of imperative, specifically a command to oneself and whoever else makes up the "we".

P.S. The hortatory subjunctive is always subjunctive and always 1st pers. plural.

Answer 3

Vamos a ... ! This is the way it's commonly said, but you can use the subjunctive/indirect imperative for actions also.

it's not the imperative, but it serves to say we're going to do something. - annierats, Nov 21, 2011

correct, I didn't word that well. thanks - unMica, Nov 21, 2011

Answer 4

Samdie said

"vamos a hablar" means we'll talk / we are going to talk (a simple prediction about the future). "hablemos" is the subjunctive (technically it's called the "the hortatory subjunctive") and means "let's talk". It is an exhortation/suggestion/urging that we talk.

...and just to complicate things even more, Spanish people tend to say things like...

¡Vamos a comer! or ¡A comer! (let's eat!)

¡Vamos al cine! (let's go to the cinema)

I always hesitate when translating "Let's" for fear of giving commands for example we are going to talk whether you like it or not!

hehehehe! :D Patrick... it would be improbable to missunderstand that. - cogumela, Nov 21, 2011

You would really have to use a very nasty tone to give that impression --> whether you like it or not - cogumela, Nov 21, 2011

Answer 5

unMica said...

Vamos a ... ! This is the we command form of ir.

I've heard that we can also say ...

Comamos - let's eat

Juguemos - let's play

Hablemos - let's talk

Is this right? better? more colloquial?

Cheers

The subjunctive ends in tears. It totally depends on if it's the right place for it... - annierats, Nov 21, 2011

my example of ir wasn't a good one because what I said was actually not accurate. but these are good, yes. instead of saying "vamos a hablar" you can certainly say "hablemos." I would say "vamos a" is more common, but that doesn't mean it's any better - unMica, Nov 21, 2011