¿nos podemos ir?
The English phrase "can we leave?" is translated into Spanish as ¿nos podemos ir?
This phrase is used to request permission to depart from a place.
Which one should you use?
Using irnos (to leave/depart) is more common and natural than using salir (to exit) when asking for permission to depart a social gathering or a location.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ¿nos podemos ir?, the verb ir is used reflexively with nos to express the act of departing or leaving a place. The reflexive pronoun nos can be attached to the end of the infinitive ir to form the alternative word order ¿podemos irnos?
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to linger for a while after saying nos vamos as part of a social ritual known as 'the long goodbye'.
- The past tense form of the verb ir, fui, is actually derived from the Latin word for 'to be'. This creates a strange historical link between the concepts of moving and existing.
- While ¿nos podemos ir? asks for permission, simply saying nos vamos can mean both 'we are leaving' and 'let's go' depending on the tone and context.
Examples in context
- Disculpen, ¿podemos irnos? Llegamos tarde a otra reunión importante.Excuse me, can we leave? We're running late for another important meeting.
- ¿Podríamos retirarnos? El último tema no es relevante para nuestra área.Could we leave? The last topic is not relevant to our field.
- ¿Podemos irnos ya? He estado aquí durante horas.Can we leave now? I've been here for hours.
- Oye, ¿podemos marcharnos? Ya hemos pasado un buen rato.Hey, can we leave? We've had a great time already.
- Ya es tarde, ¿nos podemos ir?It is late already, can we leave?
- Si terminas rápido, ¿nos podemos ir?If you finish quickly, can we leave?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are at a boring dinner party.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿nos podemos ir?Lucía, can we leave?
- LucíaEspera, todavía no terminamos de cenar.Wait, we haven't finished eating dinner yet.
- AlejandroPero estoy muy cansado.But I am very tired.
- LucíaEstá bien, nos vamos ahora.Okay, let's go now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ir, nos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
