How to Say Go in Sign Language :Quick Guide for Beginners

A few years ago, I stood on a crowded street in Marrakech, completely lost. My phone was dead, my Arabic nonexistent, and the sun was setting fast. A kind unless man noticed my panic. Without sharing a spoken language, he smiled, raised his right hand in a gentle sweeping motion – palm forward, pushing lightly through the air – and pointed down the narrow alley. In that instant, I understood perfectly: Go.

That single, wordless gesture cut through every barrier of culture, age, and tongue. It reminded me that “go” is perhaps the most universal verb on Earth. Long before we had words, humans needed to tell each other to move, to leave, to begin, to flee, to explore. Whether whispered, shouted, signed, or gestured, “go” is the spark of all journeys.

How to Say “Go” in American Sign Language (ASL)

• Extend your right hand in a loose “flat hand” shape (palm facing forward).
• Move it forward in a smooth pushing motion away from your body, as if gently pushing someone ahead of you.
• For emphasis or urgency (“Go now!”), repeat the motion quickly or add a sharp facial expression.

That simple forward push is recognized in dozens of sign languages worldwide, with only slight regional variations.

Now, let’s travel the planet and see how the rest of humanity says “go.”

Quick Reference Table:

Language	Word/Phrase	Literal Meaning / Cultural Note
English	Go	Direct imperative; also used in sports (“Go team!”)
French	Va / Allez	“Va” (informal), “Allez” (formal/plural or encouragement – think “Allez les Bleus!” at football matches)
Spanish	Ve / Vete / ¡Vamos!	“¡Vamos!” literally “let’s go” – the most emotionally charged version, used for excitement or urgency
Italian	Va’ / Vai / Andiamo	“Andiamo” (“let us go”) is the soundtrack of Italian group decisions
German	Geh / Los	“Los!” is the sharp, efficient command Germans love
Portuguese	Vai / Bora	“Bora” (Brazilian slang) means “let’s go” with infectious energy
Dutch	Ga / Kom op	“Kom op” literally “come on” – used exactly like English “Come on, let’s go!”
Russian	Иди (Idi) / Поехали (Poyekhali)	“Poyekhali!” – Yuri Gagarin’s famous words as he launched into space (“Let’s go!”)
Polish	Idź / Chodź	“Chodź” softens the command when speaking to children or loved ones
Mandarin Chinese	走 (Zǒu)	Also means “walk” or “leave”; saying “zǒu ba” (走吧) feels like a gentle nudge
Cantonese	走 (Jau²) / 走啦 (Jau² laa)	Adding “laa” makes it casual and warm, like “C’mon, let’s head out”
Japanese	行け (Ike) / 行くよ (Iku yo)	“Ike” is fierce and motivational (think anime heroes); “Iku yo” is softer, everyday
Korean	가 (Ga) / 가자 (Gaja)	“Gaja” (“let’s go”) is the battle cry of K-pop fans rushing into concerts
Hindi	जा (Jā) / चलो (Chalo)	“Chalo” is the warm, inclusive version used among friends
Urdu	جاؤ (Jāo)	Same root as Hindi; the polite form adds “ji” for respect
Arabic	روح (Rūḥ) / يلا (Yalla)	“Yalla” is the pan-Arab rocket fuel – urgent, excited, impossible to say without smiling
Hebrew	לך (Lech) / יאללה (Yalla)	Borrowed “yalla” from Arabic; used constantly in daily Israeli speech
Turkish	Git / Hadi	“Hadi” (“come on, let’s go”) is the emotional engine of Turkish encouragement
Swahili	Nenda / Twende	“Twende” (“let us go”) is sung in children’s games across East Africa
Zulu	Hamba / Asihambe	“Hamba kahle” means “go well” – a gentle, caring goodbye
Yoruba	Lọ / Jàre	“Jàre” adds warmth and playfulness, like “off you go, darling”
Amharic	Hid / Ned	“Ned” used among friends feels like a soft push forward
Māori	Haere	“Haere rā” – beautiful farewell meaning “go well on your journey”
Hawaiian	Hele	Also means “come” depending on context – direction is shown by motion, not the word
Samoan	Alu	Simple and direct; used in the same breath for “go” and “come” in Polynesian fashion
Cherokee	ᎦᏙᎯ (Gadohi)	Literally “you go (to a place)” – Cherokee verbs carry rich location information
Navajo	Yáʼíísh	Complex verb that changes dramatically depending on who is going where
Inuit (Inuktitut)	Pijunnaq	Reflects the harsh environment – “go” often implies survival and preparation
Quechua	Riy	Spoken by descendants of the Inca; still used daily in the Andes
Thai	ไป (Pai) / ไปกันเถอะ (Pai gan thoe)	The “gan thoe” ending turns it into a friendly group invitation
Vietnamese	Đi	Tone changes everything – rising tone = friendly, falling tone = command
Indonesian	Pergi / Ayo	“Ayo” is the enthusiastic version used at protests and football matches
Tagalog	Pumunta / Tara	“Tara!” (“let’s go!”) is the sound of Manila traffic and weekend adventures
Greek	Πήγαινε (Píyaine) / Πάμε (Páme)	“Páme” was the rallying cry during the Greek War of Independence

European Languages :

Europeans have turned a one-syllable idea into an art form. The French soften urgency with melody (“Allez, on y va”), the Spanish ignite it with fire (“¡Vamos!”), the Germans deliver it like a starter pistol (“Los!”), and the Russians made it cosmic (“Poyekhali!”). Even within tiny geographic spaces, tone reveals character: a Portuguese “bora” feels like a hug pushing you out the door, while a Dutch “kom op” is a no-nonsense hand on your back.

Asian Languages :

In Asia, “go” is rarely just about physical movement. In hierarchical societies (Korea, Japan, Thailand), the verb form changes dramatically depending on who you’re speaking to. Yet the informal, excited versions – Korean “gaja,” Arabic “yalla,” Hindi “chalo” – are some of the most emotionally contagious words on the planet. Say them once in a group and everyone suddenly moves as one.

African Languages :

Across hundreds of African languages, “go” is rarely cold. Zulu speakers don’t just say “hamba,” they say “hamba kahle” – go well, go in peace, may the ancestors watch over you. Swahili’s “twende” pulls the entire group forward together. Even when the command form exists, the cultural default is to bless the journey rather than merely issue an order.

Indigenous & Island Languages :

In Polynesian languages, the same word often means both “go” and “come” – because direction is shown by gesture or context, not the word itself. In Navajo, a single “go” verb can become a paragraph depending on whether you’re walking, riding, flying, or going alone or with others. For many indigenous cultures, saying “go” is inseparable from acknowledging the land you’re crossing.

Cultural Insights :

The Proto-Indo-European root *gʷeh₂- (“to go, to leave”) is the ancestor of English “go,” German “gehen,” Latin “vadere,” and thousands more. Meanwhile, across the planet, unrelated language families invented completely different roots that still feel instinctively right when you hear them: Mandarin “zǒu,” Japanese “iku,” Swahili “enda,” Hawaiian “hele.”

Every major religion has its version of “go”:

• Christianity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
• Islam: The Hijra – Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina – the moment “go” became sacred
• Buddhism: The Buddha left his palace at 29 – his “going forth” is still commemorated
• Judaism: “Lech lecha” – God’s command to Abraham: “Go forth from your land…”

Proverbs About Going:

• Arabic: “اللي ما يسافر ما يعرف قيمة الناس” (“He who does not travel does not know the value of people”)
• Japanese: 行かねばならぬ (Ikanakereba naranu) – “If you must go, go.”
• Spanish: “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” (“Traveler, there is no path; the path is made by walking”) – Antonio Machado
• Yoruba: “Ẹni tó bá ńlọ lọ́nà àìní, ọjọ́ gbogbo ni yóò máa lọ.” (“Whoever is on a journey of destitution will keep going forever.”)
• Māori: “Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.” (“Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain.”)

FAQs :

Why do so many languages have short, sharp words for “go”?

Because in moments of danger, excitement, or decision, humans need speed. One syllable, explosive consonants (“go,” “vai,” “git,” “yalla”) cut through noise.

What is the oldest recorded “go”?

Sumerian cuneiform from 2900 BCE uses the verb “gen” (to go), written as a foot symbol. Even 5,000 years ago, someone was telling someone else to move.

Why do some cultures say “let’s go” more than “go”?

Collectivist societies (much of Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia) prefer inclusive language. Saying “twende,” “vamos,” or “tara” turns an individual action into a shared adventure.

Conclusion:

Wherever you are right now, someone nearby can tell you to “go” – and you’ll understand, even if you’ve never heard their language.

A forward hand gesture, a tilt of the head, a raised eyebrow, the word “yalla” shouted with a grin – they all mean the same thing:

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