What does vamos, que… mean?

ExpressionColoquial

Sentido 1

I mean — in other words

It announces a summary of what you just said, usually because you have noticed it did not land. Nothing to do with going anywhere. It is a cousin of o sea, but more decisive: vamos que heads straight for the conclusion.

Llegó tarde, sin avisar y sin disculparse. Vamos, que pasa de nosotros.
The facts first, then what they add up to.

Sentido 2

well — I mean (softening it)

After pero it softens what has just been said, or takes the drama out of it: pero vamos, tampoco es para tanto. It hedges rather than concludes.

Es un poco caro, pero vamos, merece la pena.
The complaint, then the shrug.

Sentido 3

come on, let's go

The literal sense, let's go: a push to get moving, often with venga in front and a reason after it — venga, vamos, que cierran.

Vamos, que perdemos el tren.
Not a summary: an order to move.

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03

Unit 03

¿Qué tal está el piso?

«estás a tiro de piedra»

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