français · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Aller in the present
Move toward destinations and prepare the near-future construction.
Understand the choice
Aller expresses movement and combines with an infinitive to form the near future. Its six forms come from several historical stems, so learn them by person rather than searching for one visible base.
Core rule: The present of aller is vais, vas, va, allons, allez, vont; destinations usually follow à or chez.
Notice it in context
Je vais au marché et ensuite nous allons chez nous.
I go to the market and then we go home.
Vais matches je and contracts à + le to au; allons matches nous and chez nous means to our place or home.
Tu vas au centre-ville aujourd’hui ?
Are you going downtown today?
Vas is the tu form; au contracts à + le.
Mes amis vont venir en train.
My friends are going to come by train.
Vont + infinitive venir builds a near-future plan.
What to remember
- Use chez before a person, professional, or someone’s place: chez Marie, chez le médecin, chez nous.
- Aller à + infinitive presents a plan or event viewed as near or already intended.
Common trap: Do not say aller à maison for “go home.” Use rentrer chez soi, aller chez soi, or rentrer à la maison according to meaning.