tengo que ir a casa
/tenɡo ke iɾ a kasa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have to go home" is translated into Spanish as tengo que ir a casa.
This phrase is used to express the necessity of returning to one's own residence. For example, saying Me encantaría quedarme más tiempo, pero tengo que irme a casa or Me gustaría quedarme, pero necesito volver a casa serves to soften the message.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tengo que ir a casa literally means "I have to go to home". It is composed of tengo (I have), que (that/to), ir (to go), a (to) and casa (home/house).
Which one should you use?
While tengo que ir a casa uses the verb ir (to go), you can use tengo que volver a casa if you specifically want to say "I have to return home", as volver means "to return".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use a reflexive pronoun to emphasize the act of leaving. You may place the reflexive pronoun me before the conjugated verb, as in me tengo que ir a casa or you can attach it to the end of the infinitive verb to create tengo que irme a casa.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tengo que ir a casa.I have to go home.This example shows a simple statement of the need to go home.Tatoeba #1268823 by marcelostockle, translation #256788 by CK
- Ahora me tengo que ir a casa.I have to go home now.This example shows how to include the word "now" in the sentence.Tatoeba #2120386 by Shishir, translation #1177914 by bart
- Bien también. Oye, tengo que irme a casa ahora, pero nos vemos pronto.I'm good too. Hey, I have to go home now, but I'll see you soon.
- Ya es tarde, tengo que ir a casa.It is late, I have to go home.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are chatting at a park.
- SofíaMe divertí mucho, pero tengo que ir a casa.I had a lot of fun, but I have to go home.
- JavierEstá bien, Sofía. Nos vemos mañana.That's okay, Sofía. See you tomorrow.
- SofíaSí, hasta mañana, Javier.Yes, until tomorrow, Javier.
- JavierQue tengas un buen viaje.Have a good trip back.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, casa, ir, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
