Me tengo que ir
/me tenɡo ke iɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I need to go" is translated into Spanish as Me tengo que ir.
This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker must leave their current location or end a conversation.
Which one should you use?
While Me tengo que ir implies a necessity or obligation, Me voy (I'm leaving) is a more neutral statement of current action.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people might use Me tengo que rajar to mean I have to go.
How does it change in a sentence?
The reflexive pronoun me can be moved to the end of the phrase and attached to the infinitive ir without changing the meaning. For example, you can say Tengo que irme.
How do you pronounce it?
/me tenɡo ke iɾ/
Did you know?
- While Me tengo que ir is standard, Spanish speakers often use a 'false' departure where they say they must leave but continue talking for several more minutes.
- The Spanish verb ir is a linguistic puzzle because its different tenses come from three distinct Latin verbs: īre ('to go'), vādere ('to go') and esse ('to be').
Examples in context
- ¿Tú crees que me tengo que ir?Do you think I need to go?This sentence is useful for asking if someone thinks the speaker needs to go using Me tengo que ir.Tatoeba #1242657 by marcelostockle, translation #953214 by CK
- Disculpe, necesito irmeExcuse me, I need to go
- Lo siento, pero debo marcharme ahoraI'm sorry, but I must leave now
- Perdón, tengo que irme ahoraSorry, I have to go now
- Chicos, tengo que irme, nos vemos mañanaGuys, I need to go, see you tomorrow
- Bueno, me tengo que ir, nos vemos prontoWell, I have to go, see you soon
- Estuvo genial, pero necesito marcharme tempranoIt was great, but I need to leave early
- Lo siento, pero me tengo que ir ahora.I am sorry, but I need to go now.
- Ya es tarde, me tengo que ir.It is late already, I need to go.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are finishing a coffee at a cafe.
- SofíaMateo, me tengo que ir para no llegar tarde.Mateo, I need to go so I'm not late.
- MateoEstá bien, Sofía. ¡Nos vemos mañana!That's fine, Sofía. See you tomorrow!
- Sofía¡Chao! Que te vaya bien.Bye! Have a good one.
- MateoGracias, igualmente.Thanks, you too.
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.
