tengo que irme
/tenɡo ke iɾme/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase tengo que irme means "I have to go."
This phrase is used to announce your departure from a physical location, a conversation or a social gathering. You can add the word ahora to the phrase to emphasize that you must leave at this very moment.
Which one should you use?
While tengo que irme is a common way to express this, you can also say me tengo que ir.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the reflexive pronoun me can be attached to the end of the infinitive irme as seen in tengo que irme or it can be placed as a separate word before the conjugated verb as in me tengo que ir.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke iɾme/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying tengo que irme immediately is considered abrupt. It is common to engage in a 'long goodbye' where the speaker announces their departure but continues talking for several minutes.
- While tengo que irme focuses on the obligation, you can use the phrase me toca irme to imply it is simply your 'turn' or your fate to depart.
- In some regions, people might say me piro instead of tengo que irme in very casual settings. This slang term comes from the word for 'to fly away' or 'to vanish'.
Examples in context
- Estoy disfrutando de la reunión, pero debo retirarme para cumplir con otro compromiso.I'm enjoying the meeting, but I must leave to fulfill another commitment.
- ¡Chicos, fue genial, pero tengo que irme! Nos vemos mañana.Guys, it was great, but I have to go! See you tomorrow.
- Lo siento, pero me tengo que ir temprano hoy. Tenemos que hablar más tarde.I'm sorry, but I have to leave early today. We need to talk later.
- Tengo que irme, tengo prisa. Hablamos mañana con calma.I have to go, I'm in a hurry. We'll talk calmly tomorrow.
- Lo siento, pero tengo que irme ya.I'm sorry, but I have to leave now.
- Tengo que irme antes de que empiece la lluvia.I have to leave before it starts raining.
- Es tarde, tengo que irme a casa.It is late, I have to go home.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a coffee shop when Alejandro's phone rings.
- AlejandroPerdona, María, pero tengo que irme.Excuse me, María, but I have to leave.
- María¿Tienes una reunión tan pronto?Do you have a meeting so soon?
- AlejandroSí, es una llamada muy importante.Yes, it is a very important call.
- MaríaEstá bien, nos vemos mañana.That's fine, see you tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
