In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say you are leaving a place right now.
- Use it when a movie, concert, or party finally starts.
- Remember to put the 'los' at the very end of sentences.
Meaning
It's that moment when you're finally ready to leave or when an event is about to start. Think of it as the verbal 'green light' for any activity.
Key Examples
3 of 7Texting a friend
Ich gehe jetzt los.
I am heading out now.
At the cinema
Wann geht der Film los?
When does the movie start?
In a professional meeting
Die Präsentation wird in fünf Minuten losgehen.
The presentation will start in five minutes.
Cultural Background
The 'Akademisches Viertel' (Academic Quarter) allows students to arrive 15 minutes late, but for everything else, 'losgehen' means exactly on time. Swiss punctuality is even stricter. 'Losgehen' for a train is measured in seconds, not minutes. In Vienna, 'losgehen' might be used more casually in social contexts, reflecting a slightly more relaxed 'Gemütlichkeit'. On German social media, 'Es geht los' is often used as a hashtag (#esgehtlos) to build hype for product launches or events.
The 'Es geht los' shortcut
If you're ever unsure how to start something, just shout 'Es geht los!' It works for games, movies, and even starting a meal with friends.
Separable Verb Trap
Always remember to kick the 'los' to the end. 'Ich losgehe' is a classic beginner mistake.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say you are leaving a place right now.
- Use it when a movie, concert, or party finally starts.
- Remember to put the 'los' at the very end of sentences.
What It Means
Imagine you are at the front door. Your keys are in your hand. Your shoes are already on. You take that first step outside. That is losgehen. It means 'to set off' or 'to head out.' It also means an event is starting. Think of it as a verbal green light. It signals the transition from waiting to doing. It is a word of action and movement.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb. That sounds scary, but it is simple. The los part jumps to the end. You say Ich gehe jetzt los. You do not say Ich losgehe. If you use a helper verb, it stays together. Ich will losgehen. In the past, use ist losgegangen. It is like a puzzle piece that moves around. Just remember the los likes the final spot.
When To Use It
Use it when you leave your house. Use it when meeting friends for coffee. It is perfect for texting when you leave. It also works for movies or concerts. When the lights dim, it is losgehen time. You can even use it for alarms. If your alarm clock rings, it geht los. It is the sound of the day starting.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use losgehen for starting a car. Use anlassen or starten for machines. Do not use it for long-term projects. If you start a new job, use anfangen. Losgehen is for immediate physical movement. It is for things happening right now. Do not use it for 'starting' a conversation either. That would feel a bit robotic.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for being very punctual. Losgehen is the signal that the schedule is moving. There is a sense of relief in the word. It means the waiting is finally over. In Germany, being ready to losgehen is respectful. It shows you value the other person's time. It is a small word with big cultural weight.
Common Variations
The most famous variation is Es geht los!. You hear this at every football match. It means 'It is starting!' or 'Here we go!' Another variation is losfahren. This is used specifically when you leave by car. If you are walking, stick with losgehen. If you are excited, just shout Los! It is the ultimate shortcut for action.
Usage Notes
This is a separable verb used in neutral and informal contexts. In the present tense, the prefix 'los' always moves to the end of the clause.
The 'Es geht los' shortcut
If you're ever unsure how to start something, just shout 'Es geht los!' It works for games, movies, and even starting a meal with friends.
Separable Verb Trap
Always remember to kick the 'los' to the end. 'Ich losgehe' is a classic beginner mistake.
The Punctuality Nudge
If a group is lingering, 'Wollen wir losgehen?' is the most socially acceptable way to say 'Let's get moving.'
Sein vs Haben
Because 'losgehen' implies a change of location (from inside to outside), it always takes 'sein' in the past. 'Ich bin losgegangen.'
Examples
7Ich gehe jetzt los.
I am heading out now.
A very common text to show you are on your way.
Wann geht der Film los?
When does the movie start?
Used here for the beginning of an event.
Die Präsentation wird in fünf Minuten losgehen.
The presentation will start in five minutes.
A polite way to announce the start of a session.
Unsere große Reise geht endlich los!
Our big trip is finally starting!
Conveys excitement for a new beginning.
Das Essen geht los! Schnell!
The food is starting! Quick!
Humorous way to tell people to start eating.
Wann wollen wir heute losgehen?
When do we want to set off today?
Standard way to coordinate departure times.
Mein Wecker ist um sechs Uhr losgegangen.
My alarm went off at six o'clock.
Used for alarms or signals 'going off'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'losgehen' in the present tense.
Wann ______ {die|f} Schule ______?
The subject is '{die|f} Schule' (it), so we use the third-person singular 'geht' and put 'los' at the end.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in the past tense?
We left at 8 o'clock.
'Losgehen' uses 'sein' as an auxiliary and the participle is 'losgegangen'.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Situation: You are at a concert and the band walks on stage.
'Es geht los' is the standard expression for an event starting.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Beeil dich! B: Warum? A: {Der|m} Bus ______ in zwei Minuten ______!
While 'geht los' is okay, 'fährt los' is better for a vehicle (bus).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWann ______ {die|f} Schule ______?
The subject is '{die|f} Schule' (it), so we use the third-person singular 'geht' and put 'los' at the end.
We left at 8 o'clock.
'Losgehen' uses 'sein' as an auxiliary and the participle is 'losgegangen'.
Situation: You are at a concert and the band walks on stage.
'Es geht los' is the standard expression for an event starting.
A: Beeil dich! B: Warum? A: {Der|m} Bus ______ in zwei Minuten ______!
While 'geht los' is okay, 'fährt los' is better for a vehicle (bus).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, use 'starten' or 'anlassen'. 'Losgehen' is for the journey or the event, not the engine.
'Anfangen' is general 'to start'. 'Losgehen' is more about the 'kick-off' or the physical act of leaving.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends. For very formal writing, use 'beginnen'.
Der Wecker ist losgegangen.
Yes, 'auf jemanden losgehen' means to lung at or attack someone, but this is a B2/C1 level usage.
German verbs that indicate a change of place or state use 'sein' (to be) as the auxiliary verb.
No, 'losgehen' doesn't take an object. You say 'Ich gehe zur Party los' or 'Die Party geht los'.
Not always, but as a prefix it often implies starting, releasing, or separating.
Yes, for example: 'Wann geht das Meeting los?' (When does the meeting start?)
There isn't one perfect opposite, but 'ankommen' (to arrive) or 'aufhören' (to stop) are often used in contrast.
Related Phrases
anfangen
synonymto begin
aufbrechen
similarto set out
losfahren
specialized formto drive off
starten
synonymto start
loslegen
informalto get cracking
abgehen
slangto go off/be crazy
