Usage note : let

When let is used in English with another verb in order to make a suggestion (let’s do it at once), the first person plural -ons of the appropriate verb can generally be used to express this in French : faisons-le tout de suite. (Note that the verb alone translates let us do and no pronoun appears in French.)

In the spoken language, however, which is the usual context for such suggestions, French speakers will use the much more colloquial on + present tense or si on + imperfect tense :

let’s do it at once

= on le fait tout de suite? or si on le faisait tout de suite?

let’s go to the cinema tonight

= si on allait au cinéma ce soir?

let’s go!

= allons-y! or on y va!

These translations can also be used for negative suggestions :

let’s not take or don’t let’s take the bus - let’s walk

= on ne prend pas le bus, on y va à pied or ne prenons pas le bus, allons-y à pied

For more examples and particular usages see A1 in the entry let1.

When let is used in English with another verb to express defiance or a command (just let him try!) French uses the structure que + present subjunctive :

just let him try!

= qu’il essaie!

don’t let me see you here again!

= que je ne te revoie plus ici!

For more examples and particular usages see A2 in the entry let1.

When let is used to mean allow, it is generally translated by the verb laisser. For examples and particular usages see A3 in the entry let1.

For translations of expressions such as let fly, let loose, let slip etc., consult the entry for the second word (fly, loose, slip etc.).

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.