يجب أن أذهب
yajib 'an 'adhhab
The English phrase "I have to go" is translated into Arabic as يجب أن أذهب (yajib 'an 'adhhab).
This phrase is used to state that one must leave a place or end a conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of يجب (it is necessary), أن (that) and أذهب (I go).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For much more formal contexts, you may use أنا مُضْطَرٌّ للذهاب (I am obliged to go) or يجب أن أنصرف (It is necessary for me to leave). In casual, spoken settings, the colloquial لازم أمشي is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In spoken dialects, such as Levantine or Egyptian, people often use the colloquial لازم أمشي instead of the formal يجب أن أذهب.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "he has to go", change the verb أذهب (I go) to يذهب (he goes) to form يجب أن يذهب.
How do you pronounce it?
yajib 'an 'adhhab
Did you know?
- The verb in أذهب (I go) shares a root with the word for 'gold', ذهب (ḏahab).
- In some dialects, instead of saying they 'have to go', people say أستأذن, which literally means 'I ask for permission to leave'.
- The formal word for leaving, أنصرف, shares a root with the concept of 'spending' or 'changing currency' in Arabic.
Examples in context
- يجب أن أذهب إلى البيتI have to go home.This sentence is useful for saying you need to go to a specific destination like home.Tatoeba #6679637 by marhabaan, translation #256788 by CK
- يجب أن أذهب إلى البنك اليوم.I have to go to the bank today.This sentence is useful for stating a specific time or place you must go to, such as the bank today.Tatoeba #1910981 by Asma, translation #1910976 by Asma
- يجب أن أذهب.I have to go.This sentence is useful for stating the necessity of leaving generally.Tatoeba #2170242 by Asma, translation #1887384 by CK
- أنا مُضْطَرٌّ للذهاب لظروف عائلية.I have to go for family reasons.
- بدي أروح عالمحاضرة قبل ما تبتدي.I have to go to the lecture before it starts.
Example conversation
Mariam and Ahmed are finishing a chat at a cafe.
- مريم Maryamيجب أن أذهب الآن.yajibu an adh-haba al-an.I have to go now.
- أحمد Ahmedهل أنتِ مستعجلة يا مريم؟hal anti musta'jila ya Mariam?Are you in a hurry, Mariam?
- مريم Maryamنعم، لدي موعد مهم.na'am, ladayya maw'id muhim.Yes, I have an important appointment.
- أحمد Ahmedحسناً، أراكِ لاحقاً.hasanan, araki lahiqan.Alright, see you later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أذهب, أن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
