Kilo Lingo

/ale i/

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Translation

go ahead, go on

Word origin

A phrase combining allez, the imperative of aller (from Latin ambulare, 'to walk'), with the adverbial pronoun y (from Latin ibi, 'there'). It means 'go on, go ahead'.

Origin
Latin
Root
ambulare + ibi

Examples

-, , .

Go ahead, ask your question, I am listening.

- , assaisonne.

Go easy on the salt, the dish is already well seasoned enough.

, - , .

Please, go ahead first, I am not in a hurry.

-, -, largement .

Go ahead, help yourself, there's plenty for everyone.

- , .

Go ahead frankly, speak about what you really think.

-y est la forme imprative du pluriel de aller avec le pronom adverbial y. Il invite quelqu'un a agir, a commencer ou a passer devant. C'est le vouvoiement de vas-y (the tutoiement form). Allez-y peut aussi nuancer une action : allez-y doucement (take it easy, go gently).

Allez-y ! exprime une encouragement ou une permission enthousiaste. Dans un contexte sportif, c'est un cri d'encouragement. N'y allez pas (don't go there) est la forme negative. Allons-y est la premiere personne du pluriel (Let's go!).

Where this fits

Used in

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French · Free printables

allez-y: worksheet, infographic and listicle

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This word is part of lesson 16.