How to Say 'Go Now' in Chinese: 现在走 and 走吧
Learn to say 'go now' in Mandarin with 现在走 and 走吧. Understand when to use each, how to ask if it's time to leave, and practice with a natural dialogue.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If you want to say 'go now' in Chinese, the most direct phrase is 现在走 (xiànzài zǒu). But Chinese often uses 走吧 (zǒu ba) to suggest leaving together. This lesson teaches both, plus how to ask 'Shall we go now?' and how to respond. You'll learn the difference between stating a fact and making a suggestion, so you can use the right phrase in the right situation.
By the end, you can…
- say 'go now' in Chinese using 现在走 and 走吧.
- ask if it's time to leave and respond appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
现在走
go now
xiànzài zǒu
A direct statement that someone is leaving or should leave now. It can sound neutral or a bit urgent depending on tone. Note that 走 here means 'to leave', not 'to walk'.
走吧
let's go
zǒu ba
A friendly suggestion to leave together. The particle 吧 softens the command into a proposal. It is used when addressing someone present, so it implies 'let's go' rather than 'I'm going'.
现在走吗？
Are we leaving now?
xiànzài zǒu ma?
A yes/no question asking whether the action of leaving happens now. Use it when you're unsure about the plan. The subject is often omitted when it is clear from context.
我们走吧
Let's go
wǒmen zǒu ba
Explicitly includes 'we', making the suggestion clearly about a group. Common when you're with friends or colleagues.
我得走了
I have to go now
wǒ děi zǒu le
A polite way to announce that you need to leave. The particle 了 (le) signals a change of situation—here, that you are about to leave.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core verb is 走 (zǒu), which means 'to walk' or 'to leave'. To say 'go now', put the time word 现在 (xiànzài, now) before the verb: 现在走. To make a suggestion, add 吧 (ba) at the end: 走吧. For example, 现在走 states that leaving happens now, while 走吧 proposes leaving. You can also ask 现在走吗？ to check if it's time to go. If you want to include the group, say 我们走吧 (wǒmen zǒu ba). Note that 走 by itself does not mean 'to go' in the sense of traveling to a destination; for that, use 去 (qù).
When to use it
Use 现在走 when you are stating a fact or answering a question about timing, such as 'We're leaving now' or 'He's going now.' Use 走吧 when you want to suggest leaving together in a friendly way. It's common among friends, family, and colleagues. If you need to announce your own departure politely, say 我得走了 (I have to go now). Avoid using 走吧 with someone you should show formal respect to, such as a very senior person, unless the context is casual; in formal settings, 我们该走了 (wǒmen gāi zǒu le, we should go) may be more appropriate.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
现在走吗？
Are we leaving now?xiànzài zǒu ma?再等五分钟吧。
Let's wait five more minutes.zài děng wǔ fēnzhōng ba.好的，那我们走吧。
Okay, then let's go.hǎo de, nà wǒmen zǒu ba.走吧，我得走了。
Let's go, I have to go now.zǒu ba, wǒ děi zǒu le.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, adding 吧 to a verb turns a command into a gentle suggestion. It's a key politeness strategy. Also, 走 can mean 'to walk' or 'to leave' depending on context. When you say 我得走了, it's a polite way to end a conversation without sounding abrupt. Chinese speakers often use 我们走吧 to include everyone, which builds a sense of togetherness.
One thing to watch for
Using 走吧 to mean 'I am going now' when you are leaving alone.
Try this instead: 走吧 implies a suggestion to a group or another person. If you are leaving alone, say 我得走了 or 我现在走. For example, 我得走了，明天见 (I have to go, see you tomorrow).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you suggest to a friend that you both leave now?
Show a sample answer
我们走吧。
This uses 我们 (we) and 吧 to make a friendly suggestion. You could also say 走吧 if the context is clear.
2How do you ask 'Are we leaving now?' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
现在走吗？
This is a straightforward yes/no question using 吗. It asks about the timing of leaving.
3How do you politely announce that you have to leave now?
Show a sample answer
我得走了。
This uses 得 (děi, have to) and 了 to indicate a change. It's a common polite phrase when ending a conversation.
Use 现在走 to state that you're leaving now, and 走吧 to suggest leaving together. For polite departure, say 我得走了.
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