Ich muss gehen
/ɪç mʊs ˈɡeːən/word by word
The English phrase "I have to go" is translated into German as Ich muss gehen.
This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker needs to leave their current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Ich (I), muss (must/have to) and gehen (to go/to walk).
Which one should you use?
While Ich muss gehen is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound slightly more formal or heavy than the more common conversational Ich muss los.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Ich muss los is a very common, more colloquial way to say "I have to go" in daily conversation. Additionally, adding the verb losgehen (to set off/start moving) to create Ich muss jetzt losgehen makes the phrase sound more natural when expressing the intent to depart immediately.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç mʊs ˈɡeːən/
Did you know?
- The 'h' in gehen is actually a visual stowaway. It was added to the spelling to make the word look more like the verb sehen, meaning 'to see', even though it is silent.
- The phrase Ich muss gehen can be used as a social signal to politely announce the end of a conversation before actually standing up.
- If you use the word gehen in a German sentence, you are using a relative of the English words 'gang' and 'gait'.
Examples in context
- Du, ich muss gehen.Listen, I have to go.This example shows how to use Ich muss gehen to get someone's attention.Tatoeba #3390766 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3390719 by CK
- Ich muss gehen und das tun.I have to go do this.This example shows the phrase used to express a necessity to go and do something.Tatoeba #6625868 by Felixjp, translation #2360508 by CK
- Es ist spät, ich muss gehen.It's late. I have to go.This example shows using the phrase to explain why one is leaving because it is late.Tatoeba #480078 by Espi, translation #505888 by wma
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are at a cafe.
- JulianEs tut mir leid, aber ich muss gehen.I am sorry, but I have to go.
- HannahWarum? Ist es schon so spät?Why? Is it already that late?
- JulianJa, ich habe einen Termin.Yes, I have an appointment.
- HannahAlles klar, bis bald, Julian!All right, see you soon, Julian!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Ich, Muss, gehen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ich, gehen, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
