How to Say "Gotta Go" in Spanish

me tengo que ir

/me tenɡo ke iɾ/from spelling rules

The English phrase "gotta go" is translated in Spanish as me tengo que ir.

This phrase is used to say that you must leave a place or end a conversation.

Which one should you use?

While me tengo que ir emphasizes the obligation or necessity of leaving (I must go), me voy simply states the action of leaving (I'm off/I'm leaving).

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Spain, the slang expression Me piro is used to mean "gotta go" in particularly informal contexts.

How do you pronounce it?

/me tenɡo ke iɾ/

Did you know?

The word voy used in forms of ir actually comes from the Latin word vādere, which means 'to go'. Other forms of the same verb come from īre, meaning 'to go'.
While me tengo que ir is universal, using the slang me piro in a professional setting in Spain could be seen as overly abrupt or childish.

Examples in context

Chicos, me tengo que ir.
Guys, I gotta go.
This example shows how to use me tengo que ir when addressing a group of people.
Tatoeba #580617 by Shishir, translation #402546 by Dorenda
Se hace tarde, me tengo que ir.
It's getting late. I gotta go.
This example shows how to use me tengo que ir when the reason for leaving is that it is getting late.
Tatoeba #480050 by Raimondi, translation #383505 by kellenparker
Me tengo que ir.
Gotta go.
This example shows a simple, direct use of me tengo que ir.
Tatoeba #825039 by juamoran, translation #785358 by Zifre
Disculpe, pero tengo que irme ahora
Excuse me, but I have to go now
Le pido disculpas, pero debo irme ahora
I apologize, but I must go now
Chicos, me tengo que ir ya
Guys, I gotta go now
Me voy, gracias por todo
I'm leaving, thanks for everything
Tío, me piro, nos vemos mañana
Dude, I gotta go, see you tomorrow

Example conversation

Mateo and María are chatting in a coffee shop.

Mateo

Lo siento, María, me tengo que ir.
I'm sorry, María, I gotta go.
María

¿Tan pronto? El café está rico.
So soon? The coffee is good.
Mateo

Sí, pero tengo una reunión importante.
Yes, but I have an important meeting.
María

Entiendo, nos vemos luego, Mateo.
I understand, see you later, Mateo.

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.

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How to Say “Gotta Go” in Spanish