In English, “let’s go” is usually an informal way to suggest beginning an action, especially leaving or starting a journey. It is an exhortation, a call to act together. On the other hand, “let us go” can be a request or demand to be allowed to leave, and it has a more literal or formal sense. French makes a clear distinction between these meanings and uses different expressions for each.

Let’s go as an exhortation

The most common French equivalent of “let’s go” as an exhortation is on y va. This is informal and used in everyday conversation. It literally means “we go there,” but in practice it means “let’s go.”

On y va ?
Shall we go?

Il est tard, on y va.
It’s late, let’s go.

On y va maintenant, sinon on va rater le train.
Let’s go now, or we’ll miss the train.

Another option is allons-y, which is more formal or enthusiastic. It literally means “let’s go there.” It uses the imperative form of the verb aller in the first person plural.

Allons-y, le spectacle va commencer.
Let’s go, the show is about to start.

Allons-y tout de suite.
Let’s go right away.

In more forceful or excited speech, French sometimes uses c’est parti, which literally means “it’s started.” While not a direct translation, it can be used in the same situations as “let’s go” in English when beginning an activity.

C’est parti pour une nouvelle aventure.
Let’s go on a new adventure.

C’est parti !
Let’s go!

Let us go meaning “allow us to leave”

When “let us go” is a request for permission to leave, French uses laisse-nous partir (informal singular) or laissez-nous partir (formal or plural). This uses the imperative of laisser followed by the infinitive partir.

Laisse-nous partir, s’il te plaît.
Let us go, please.

Laissez-nous partir, nous n’avons rien fait.
Let us go, we didn’t do anything.

Ils ne veulent pas nous laisser partir.
They don’t want to let us go.

In more emotional or urgent cases where someone is physically restraining another person, French uses lâche-nous ! or lâchez-nous !, from the verb lâcher meaning “to let go of.” This is a direct command to release someone and is often used in moments of distress or confrontation.

Lâche-nous ! Tu nous fais mal !
Let us go! You’re hurting us!

Lâchez-nous tout de suite !
Let us go right now!

Il les retenait par les bras. Ils criaient : “Lâche-nous !”
He was holding them by the arms. They shouted, “Let us go!”

This expression is physical in meaning and is not used when simply asking for permission to leave.

In more abstract or indirect expressions of wanting to leave, French sometimes uses the subjunctive with qu’on parte, meaning “that we leave.” This appears after verbs of desire, obligation, or necessity.

Il faut qu’on parte maintenant.
We have to go now.

Je veux qu’on parte immédiatement.
I want us to leave immediately.

This construction is not used as a command or plea like “let us go,” but rather to express a wish or need to leave.