How to Say “Let us go” in Chinese
Getting around · HSK 1
"Let us go" in Chinese is 我们走吧 (Wǒmen zǒu ba). The 吧 particle is the whole secret here; it turns a command into a suggestion, like English 'shall we.' Without it, 我们走 sounds blunt or impatient.
Primary translation
我们走吧
Wǒmen zǒu ba
Traditional: 我們走吧
Variants by register
Formal
我们出发吧
Wǒmen chūfā ba
Casual
走吧走吧
Zǒu ba zǒu ba
When to use it
The 吧 particle is the whole secret here; it turns a command into a suggestion, like English 'shall we.' Without it, 我们走 sounds blunt or impatient. In very casual speech, Chinese speakers often drop 我们 entirely and just say 走吧 or the doubled 走吧走吧 to hurry someone along. 出发 (set off / depart) is used when there's a proper journey involved; a road trip, a hike, leaving on a flight. Use 走 for everyday moving along.
Example sentences
时间差不多了，我们走吧。
Shíjiān chàbùduō le, wǒmen zǒu ba.
It's about time, let's go.
行李都收拾好了，出发吧！
Xínglǐ dōu shōushi hǎo le, chūfā ba!
The luggage is packed, let's head out!
快点，走吧走吧，要迟到了！
Kuài diǎn, zǒu ba zǒu ba, yào chídào le!
Hurry up, let's go let's go, we'll be late!