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How to Say ‘Unfortunately I have to leave soon.’ in Italian

Purtroppo tra poco devo andare.

poor-TROH-poh trah POH-koh DAY-voh ahn-DAH-reh

[poor-TROH-poh trah POH-koh DAY-voh ahn-DAH-reh]

Phrase Breakdown

Purtroppo tra poco

poor-TROH-poh trah POH-koh

Unfortunately, soon

'Purtroppo' means 'unfortunately' and 'tra poco' means 'in a little while'. Roll the 'r's and stress 'TROP': pur-TROP-po.

Example

Purtroppo tra poco piove.

Unfortunately, it's going to rain soon.

Words in this phrase

Purtroppo

[poor-TROH-poh]

Unfortunately

Used to express regret or sadness about a situation.

Example

"Purtroppo", non posso venire alla festa.

"Unfortunately", I cannot come to the party.

tra

[trah]

in (time)

With time expressions, 'tra' means 'in' or 'within' a future amount of time.

Example

Tra dieci minuti parto.

I'm leaving in ten minutes.

poco

[POH-koh]

a little while

In 'tra poco' it means shortly, in a little while.

Example

Arrivo tra poco.

I'll arrive shortly.

devo andare.

DAY-voh ahn-DAH-reh

I have to go.

'Devo' means 'I must' and is followed by the infinitive 'andare', meaning 'to go'.

Example

Scusa, devo andare.

Sorry, I have to go.

Words in this phrase

devo

[DAY-voh]

I have to

Indicates obligation or necessity.

Example

Devo comprare un biscotto.

I have to buy a biscuit.

andare

[ahn-DAH-reh]

to go

Infinitive of andare, meaning 'to go'.

Example

Voglio andare in centro. Andare a piedi è possibile?

I want to go downtown. Is it possible to go on foot?

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