How to Say “Going” in French
Mastering one of the most common words in everyday conversation
Whether you’re talking about going to the store, going home, or going out with friends, the word “going” comes up all the time in English. But how do you say it in French? The answer depends on context — and that’s what makes it interesting!
Let’s break it down.
1. The most common translation: “aller”
The French verb aller means “to go.” It’s an irregular verb, and it’s used both on its own and as part of many expressions.
Conjugation in the present tense:
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Je vais – I am going / I go
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Tu vas – You are going
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Il/Elle/On va – He/She/One is going
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Nous allons – We are going
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Vous allez – You are going (formal/plural)
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Ils/Elles vont – They are going
Examples:
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Je vais au marché. → I’m going to the market.
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Nous allons à Paris. → We are going to Paris.
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Ils vont à l’école. → They’re going to school.
2. Future construction: “aller + infinitive”
In French, just like in English, you can use aller to talk about the near future.
Examples:
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Je vais manger. → I’m going to eat.
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Elle va sortir ce soir. → She’s going to go out tonight.
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Nous allons voyager cet été. → We’re going to travel this summer.
This is called the futur proche (near future).
3. Other meanings of “going”
Sometimes “going” in English isn’t about movement. Here’s how to express different ideas depending on context:
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How’s it going? → Ça va ? or Comment ça va ?
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Going well → Ça va bien
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Going badly → Ça va mal
Example:
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Salut, ça va ? → Hi, how’s it going?
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Ça va bien, merci ! → It’s going well, thanks!
4. Using “aller” in idiomatic expressions
French has tons of expressions with aller. A few useful ones:
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Aller bien/mal → to be well / unwell
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Aller chercher → to go get something
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S’en aller → to go away, to leave
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Aller à pied → to go on foot
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Aller en voiture → to go by car
Final thoughts
“Going” in French is usually expressed with aller, but its meaning shifts depending on how you use it. Whether you’re describing movement, future plans, or just checking in with someone, understanding aller will help you speak naturally and confidently.
Ready to practice? Try making a few sentences of your own with “aller”!
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