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How to Say ‘I have to go now.’ in Mexican Spanish

Ya me tengo que ir.

yah meh TEN-goh keh eer

[yah meh TEN-goh keh eer]

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Leaving a Mexican family visit takes time; expect hugs, blessings and more conversation after you say this.

Phrase Breakdown

Ya me tengo

yah meh TEN-goh

I now have

'Ya' here means 'now' or 'already', and softens the goodbye. 'Me' belongs to the verb 'irse' (to leave). Say 'yah meh TEN-go'.

Example

Ya me tengo que dormir.

I have to go to sleep now.

Words in this phrase

[yah]

already / now

Shows that something has happened by now or has finally started happening.

Example

Ya puede salir un rato al jardín.

She can go out to the garden for a little while now.

[meh]

myself (reflexive)

Reflexive pronoun used with 'irse' (to leave).

Example

Me voy a casa.

I'm leaving for home.

tengo

[TEN-goh]

I have

First person singular of 'have', to possess.

Example

Tengo dinero en efectivo.

I have cash.

que ir.

keh eer

to go.

'Tener que' plus a verb means 'to have to'. 'Que ir' blends into 'keh-EER'.

Example

Tengo que ir al mercado.

I have to go to the market.

Words in this phrase

que

[keh]

to (in 'tener que')

Forms 'tener que' = to have to.

Example

Tengo que trabajar.

I have to work.

[eer]

to go / leave

Infinitive of 'ir'; with 'me' means to leave.

Example

Quiero ir al mercado.

I want to go to the market.

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