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How to Say ‘Well, I have to go.’ in French

Bon, je dois y aller.

bohn zhuh dwah ee ah-LAY

[bohn zhuh dwah ee ah-LAY]

🇫🇷 In France: Starting with Bon is the usual polite signal that you're wrapping up. French friends expect this cue before saying goodbye.

Phrase Breakdown

Bon, je dois

bohn zhuh dwah

Well, I have to

'Bon' signals wrapping up a conversation. Say the nasal 'bon', then 'zhuh dwa'.

Example

Bon, je dois partir.

Well, I have to leave.

Words in this phrase

Bon

[bohn]

well / right

Used as a filler word to wrap up a conversation or move on.

Example

Bon, on y va ?

Right, shall we go?

je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

dois

[dwah]

must / should

From 'devoir'; expresses obligation or what one should do.

Example

Qu'est-ce que je dois faire si elle ne mange pas ?

What should I do if she doesn’t eat?

y aller.

ee ah-LAY

go / get going.

This is a common way to say goodbye. Link the sounds smoothly: 'ee-a-lay'.

Example

Il faut y aller.

We need to go.

Words in this phrase

y

[ee]

there

In or at that place.

Example

Y a-t-il une solution?

Is there a solution?

aller

[ah-LAY]

to go

A very common verb meaning 'to go.'

Example

On peut aller à la bibliothèque ce soir.

We can go to the library this evening.

Related guides

Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.French Conversation for Beginners: 6 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseSix basic French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour and introducing yourself to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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