Tengo que ir a trabajar
/tenɡo ke iɾ a tɾabaxaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have to go to work" is translated into Spanish as Tengo que ir a trabajar.
This phrase is used to state that you are required to leave for your place of employment. You can express this by using the verb for the action of working, as in Tengo que ir a trabajar or by using the noun for the workplace, as in Tengo que ir al trabajo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Tengo que ir a trabajar breaks down into Tengo (I have), que (that/to), ir (to go), a (to) and trabajar (to work).
Which one should you use?
Using the verb deber instead of tener que, such as in Debo ir a trabajar, expresses a stronger sense of obligation or duty.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term curro is used colloquially to mean work, as seen in the phrase Me tengo que ir al curro. In Latin American countries such as Argentina or Uruguay, laburar is a colloquial synonym for work, used in phrases like Debo ir a laburar.
How does it change in a sentence?
A common way to emphasize the act of leaving or departing is to add the reflexive pronoun me before the verb, resulting in Me tengo que ir a trabajar.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke iɾ a tɾabaxaɾ/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Me tengo que ir a trabajar.I have to go to work.This sentence is useful for practicing the form Tengo que ir a trabajar with the added reflexive pronoun.Tatoeba #5014889 by don_ramon, translation #953483 by CK
- Ahora me tengo que ir a trabajar.I have to go to work now.This sentence is useful for practicing the form Tengo que ir a trabajar when adding the word "now".Tatoeba #2016463 by Shishir, translation #1887383 by CK
- ¡Hola! ¿Quieres salir esta noche? Person B: Me encantaría, pero tengo que irme a trabajar temprano mañana.Hi! Do you want to go out tonight? Person B: I'd love to, but I have to go to work early tomorrow.
- Tengo que ir a trabajar muy temprano.I have to go to work very early.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are having coffee before the workday begins.
- JavierLa cafetería está muy tranquila hoy.The cafe is very quiet today.
- LucíaSí, pero ya es tarde para mí.Yes, but it is already late for me.
- Javier¿Todavía no te vas, Lucía?Aren't you leaving yet, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, tengo que ir a trabajar ahora.Yes, I have to go to work now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ir, que, trabajar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
