come on
هيا
Wörtlich: Move toward/arrive on top of
Use `come on` to motivate friends to move or to playfully challenge something hard to believe.
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to tell someone to hurry up or move faster.
- Use it to show you think someone is joking or lying.
- Keep it for friends, family, and casual coworkers.
- Change your tone to change the meaning entirely.
Bedeutung
You use this phrase to encourage someone to move faster, start an action, or to show you don't believe what they are saying.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Running late for a movie
Come on, the film starts in five minutes!
Hurry up, the film starts in five minutes!
A friend tells an unbelievable story
Oh, come on! You didn't actually meet the President.
Oh, stop it! You didn't actually meet the President.
Encouraging a shy teammate
Come on, you can do this! Just try your best.
Let's go, you can do this!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase became a powerhouse in the 20th century through pop music and cinema. It captures the 'let's go' spirit of the rock-and-roll era. Today, it is one of the most frequently used phrasal verbs in global English due to its simplicity and emotional range.
The 'Skeptic' Stretch
If you want to show you don't believe someone, stretch the 'on' into two syllables: 'Come o-on!'
Watch the Boss
Using this with a superior can sound like you are telling them they are being slow or silly. Use 'Shall we?' instead.
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to tell someone to hurry up or move faster.
- Use it to show you think someone is joking or lying.
- Keep it for friends, family, and casual coworkers.
- Change your tone to change the meaning entirely.
What It Means
Come on is like a verbal spark plug. It creates energy and movement. Most of the time, it means "hurry up" or "let's go." It pushes people to take action. However, it has a secret second life. Sometimes, it means "I don't believe you." It is all about the tone of your voice. If you say it fast, you are in a rush. If you stretch the words out, you are skeptical.
How To Use It
Think of it as a call to action. You can put it at the start of a sentence to lead the way. You can also use it alone as a complete thought.
- Use it to invite:
Come on, join the party! - Use it to rush:
Come on, we are late! - Use it to challenge:
Come on, that can't be true.
It is incredibly flexible. It is the Swiss Army knife of English phrases. Just don't use it with your boss during a serious performance review.
When To Use It
You will hear this everywhere in daily life. Use it at a restaurant when your friend is staring at the menu for twenty minutes. Use it when you are watching sports and your team is losing. It works great in text messages when someone isn't replying. It is perfect for casual settings. It feels warm and energetic between friends. It shows you are engaged and present in the moment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal writing. Do not put it in a legal contract or a scientific paper. It is too conversational for a funeral or a solemn ceremony. Also, be careful with your boss. If you tell a CEO Come on!, it might sound like you are being rude or impatient. If someone is truly sad, saying Come on might feel like you are dismissing their feelings. Use it when the vibe is active, not heavy.
Cultural Background
This phrase is a staple of Western individualism and fast-paced living. It reflects a culture that values speed and directness. In American movies, the hero always yells Come on! right before an explosion. It is the ultimate "action movie" phrase. It also shows a level of comfort. In English-speaking cultures, using this phrase implies you have a close enough relationship to push the other person a little bit.
Common Variations
People love to shorten or change this. You might hear C'mon in casual speech. It sounds like one quick syllable. Some people say Come on now to sound a bit more persuasive or comforting. In sports, fans might scream Come on! repeatedly like a chant. If you want to be extra sassy, you can say Oh, come on! with a big sigh. This version is the international signal for "You have got to be kidding me."
Nutzungshinweise
The meaning is 90% tone. A sharp, short delivery is a command; a long, drawn-out delivery is a complaint or doubt.
The 'Skeptic' Stretch
If you want to show you don't believe someone, stretch the 'on' into two syllables: 'Come o-on!'
Watch the Boss
Using this with a superior can sound like you are telling them they are being slow or silly. Use 'Shall we?' instead.
The 'C'mon' Spelling
In American English, you will often see it written as 'C'mon' in books to show the character is speaking quickly or informally.
Beispiele
6Come on, the film starts in five minutes!
Hurry up, the film starts in five minutes!
Used here to express urgency and speed.
Oh, come on! You didn't actually meet the President.
Oh, stop it! You didn't actually meet the President.
Used to show skepticism or disbelief.
Come on, you can do this! Just try your best.
Let's go, you can do this!
Used as a form of emotional support and motivation.
Come on guys, let's finish this project before lunch.
Let's go guys, let's finish this project.
Used to build team momentum in a relaxed workplace.
C'mon, I'm waiting outside in the car!
Hurry up, I'm waiting outside!
The shortened spelling 'C'mon' is common in texting.
Come on! Kick the ball!
Let's go! Kick the ball!
Expressing intense excitement and desire for action.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best context for the phrase.
___, we're going to miss the bus!
We use `come on` to urge someone to hurry when time is running out.
Identify the meaning based on the tone.
Friend: 'I just won a million dollars.' You: '___, no you didn't!'
In this context, `come on` expresses that you don't believe the friend's claim.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Come on'
Slangy 'C'mon' with best friends.
C'mon, let's go!
Standard use with colleagues or family.
Come on, we're late.
Rarely used; might seem impatient.
Please, come on.
When to say 'Come on'
Running Late
Hurry up!
Disbelief
You're joking!
Support
You can do it!
Frustration
Not again!
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThey are very similar! Let's go usually means the speaker is moving too, while come on is often a command for the other person to start moving.
Only if the email is to a close friend or a very casual teammate. In a professional email, it can sound demanding or rude.
Adding 'Oh' usually signals frustration or disbelief. For example, Oh, come on, the rain just started! shows you are annoyed by the weather.
No, it can also mean 'please cooperate.' If a child won't eat their vegetables, a parent might say Come on, just one bite.
It is used in both! It is a universal English phrase, though the accent and speed might change between London and New York.
There isn't a direct opposite, but hold on or wait up are used when you want someone to stop or slow down.
It is risky. It might sound like you are being impatient with them, which can be seen as aggressive.
Use a high, rising pitch. If you say it with a smile in your voice, it sounds like You can do it!
Yes, it is. However, it functions more like an interjection in these contexts because it stands alone to express emotion.
Using it when you actually mean 'come here.' If you want someone to physically walk to your location, come here is more precise.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Hurry up
Do something faster.
Let's get moving
A call for a group to start a journey or task.
Step on it
Very informal way to tell someone to drive faster or hurry.
Give me a break
Used when you don't believe someone (similar to the skeptical 'come on').
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