me tengo que ir
/me tenɡo ke iɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "got to go" is translated into Spanish as me tengo que ir.
This phrase is used both to physically leave a location and to signal the end of a phone call or conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of me (myself), tengo (I have), que (that/to) and ir (to go).
Which one should you use?
The reflexive pronoun me can be attached to the end of the infinitive ir to form tengo que irme, which is a common alternative to me tengo que ir.
How does it change in a sentence?
To tell someone else they have to go, change the verb conjugation to te tienes que ir.
How do you pronounce it?
/me tenɡo ke iɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb for 'to go' is a linguistic mosaic, combining roots from Latin 'īre', 'vādere' and even the verb for 'to be'.
- If you say me tengo que ir in a social setting, be prepared for the 'long goodbye'. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, announcing your departure is merely the beginning of a ritual of goodbyes and small talk that can last several minutes.
- In certain dialects like 'voseo', the command 'go' might be expressed as andá, which is actually derived from the verb andar meaning 'to walk'.
Examples in context
- Ahora me tengo que ir.I have got to go now.This sentence is useful for saying you have to go now with me tengo que ir.Tatoeba #1105256 by Shishir, translation #31381 by CK
- Lo siento pero me tengo que ir.Sorry, I've got to go.This sentence is useful for apologizing before you leave with me tengo que ir.Tatoeba #1236901 by marcelostockle, translation #56371 by CK
- Lo siento Tom, me tengo que ir.I'm sorry, Tom, I've got to go.Tatoeba #3260701 by Shishir, translation #2543478 by CK
- Me disculpo, pero tengo que irme ahora.I apologize, but I have to go now.
- Disculpe, debo retirarme.Excuse me, I must take my leave.
- Lamentablemente, tengo que marcharme ya.Unfortunately, I have to go now.
- Chicos, me tengo que ir. Nos vemos más tarde.Guys, I gotta go. See you later.
- Tengo que salir ya, mi madre me espera en casa.I have to leave now, my mom is waiting for me at home.
- ¡Hasta luego! Tengo que marcharme o llegaré tarde al trabajo.See you later! I have to go or I'll be late for work.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking on the phone when Javier realizes he is late.
- JavierHola Lucía, ¿cómo estás?Hello Lucía, how are you?
- LucíaMuy bien, ¿y tú, Javier?Very well, and you, Javier?
- JavierBien, pero me tengo que ir ya.Fine, but I got to go now.
- LucíaEstá bien, ¡hasta luego!Okay, see you later!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ir, me, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
