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

Bueno, ya me tengo que ir.

BWE-no yah meh TEN-goh keh eer

[BWE-no yah meh TEN-goh keh eer]

💬 Usage Tip: tengo que plus a verb means "I have to." Swap the verb: tengo que trabajar "I have to work."

Phrase Breakdown

Bueno,

BWE-no

Well,

A filler word Mexicans use to start wrapping up a conversation. Pause briefly after it.

Example

Bueno, nos vemos mañana.

Well, see you tomorrow.

Words in this phrase

Bueno

[BWE-no]

Well

Used to express a mild degree of hesitation or agreement.

Example

Bueno, acepto tu oferta.

Well, I accept your offer.

ya me tengo que ir.

yah meh TEN-goh keh eer

I have to go now.

'Ya' means 'now' or 'already'. 'Tengo que' means 'I have to'. Link 'que ir' smoothly: 'ke-ir'.

Example

Es tarde, ya me tengo que ir.

It's late, I have to go 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 pronoun; 'irse' means to leave, so 'me ... ir' is 'I leave'.

Example

Ya me voy.

I'm leaving now.

tengo

[TEN-goh]

I have

First person singular of 'have', to possess.

Example

Tengo dinero en efectivo.

I have cash.

que

[keh]

to (in 'tener que')

Links 'tener' to a verb to express obligation: have to.

Example

Tengo que estudiar.

I have to study.

[eer]

to go

Infinitive verb meaning to go.

Example

Quiero ir por la calle principal.

I want to go by the main street.

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