lets go in korean
How to Say "Let's Go" in Korean (가자 / 갑시다): Casual & Formal
가자
gaja
Quick answer
Say 가자 (gaja) to a friend and 갑시다 (gapsida) in a polite or formal setting — both mean 'let's go' in Korean, but the verb ending signals the social relationship.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 가자 | gaja | Let's go — between friends or younger people. Short, punchy, and the default in casual K-drama scenes. Adding 빨리 (ppalli, quickly) in front makes it urgent. |
| polite | 가요 | gayo | Let's go / going (polite) — softer suggestion, suitable for most everyday polite contexts. Can also mean 'shall we go?' depending on intonation. |
| formal | 갑시다 | gapsida | Let's go — formal. Used with colleagues, elders, or in group settings where showing respect through speech level matters. |
| encouraging / hype (borrowed) | 고고! | gogo! | 고고 (gogo) borrowed from English 'go go' — an energetic hype phrase meaning 'let's go / let's do it!' Common in K-pop fan culture and sports cheering. |
How it changes by relationship
야, 빨리 가자!
Ya, ppalli gaja!
to a close friend: Hey, let's go quickly! — standard impatient urge between friends. 야 is a casual attention-getter used with peers you're close to.
우리 같이 갑시다.
Uri gachi gapsida.
to a group (polite): Let's all go together — 우리 (uri, we/our) is inclusive and the formal ending makes it respectful for mixed groups.
화이팅! 고고!
Hwaiting! Gogo!
as a hype/encouragement: Let's go, you've got this! — K-pop fan and sports cheering energy. 화이팅 is Korean English for 'fighting!' meaning 'you can do it!'
카페 가자!
Kape gaja!
suggesting a destination casually: Let's go to the cafe! — adding a destination before 가자 is the most natural way to invite someone somewhere. This pattern is used constantly in daily life.
Examples
빨리 가자, 늦겠다!
Ppalli gaja, neutgetda!
Let's go quickly, we'll be late!
이제 갑시다.
Ije gapsida.
Let's go now.
화이팅! 우리 할 수 있어!
Hwaiting! Uri hal su isseo!
Let's go! We can do it!
Usage note
In Korean, the verb ending alone signals the entire social relationship — 가자 and 갑시다 use the same verb 가다 (to go), but the endings mark a huge difference in register. Saying 가자 to a boss or elder can come across as commanding or rude, while 갑시다 to a close peer can sound unnecessarily stiff. When in doubt with someone older, use 가요 — it's polite yet relaxed. Native speakers navigate this instinctively, so as a learner, erring on the more polite side is always the safer choice.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "let's go" here?
FAQ
Is 가자 rude to say to an elder?
Yes — 가자 is casual and can sound presumptuous with elders or people you're not close to. Use 가요 (polite) or 갑시다 (formal) instead.
What does 고고 mean in Korean?
고고 (gogo) is a borrowed hype expression meaning 'let's go!' or 'go for it!' — used in casual speech, fan culture, and sports cheering. It carries an energetic, playful tone, not a literal directive.
How do I say 'let's go eat'?
밥 먹으러 가자 (bap meogeureo gaja) — 밥 먹으러 (bap meogeureo) means 'in order to eat.' This is probably the single most common use of 가자 in everyday Korean life.
What's the difference between 가요 and 갑시다 for 'let's go'?
가요 is warmer and softer — it's the polite everyday suggestion. 갑시다 is more formal and assertive, typical in workplace or group settings where hierarchy is present.
How do I say 'let's go' to get a friend moving when they're slow?
야, 빨리! (ya, ppalli!) — 'hey, hurry up!' is actually more common than repeating 가자 when you're trying to rush someone. Or 어서 가자 (eoseo gaja, let's go already).