PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
🏃‍♂️➡️🚪

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

Ya me tengo que ir.

yah meh TEHN-go keh eer

[yah meh TEHN-go keh eer]

💬 Usage Tip: Here ya means "now" or "by this point," not "already." The same use shows up in ya voy "I'm coming."

Phrase Breakdown

Ya me tengo

yah meh TEHN-go

I now have to

'Ya' here means 'now' or 'already'. Say 'yah meh TEN-goh'. 'Me' goes with 'ir' to form 'irme' (to leave).

Example

Ya me tengo que dormir.

I have to go to sleep now.

Words in this phrase

Ya

[yah]

now

Here means 'now / at this point'.

Example

Ya es tarde.

It's late now.

me

[meh]

myself

Reflexive pronoun used with 'ir' to form 'irse', meaning to leave.

Example

Ya me voy.

I'm leaving now.

tengo

[TEHN-go]

I have

First-person form of 'tener'; used to say you have something, like a reservation.

Example

Tengo una reservación para las ocho.

I have a reservation for eight o’clock.

que ir.

keh eer

go.

'Tener que' means 'to have to'. 'Que ir' links into one sound: 'keh-EER'.

Example

Tengo que ir al banco.

I have to go to the bank.

Words in this phrase

que

[keh]

to (in 'tener que')

Forms 'tener que' = to have to.

Example

Tengo que trabajar.

I have to work.

ir

[eer]

to go / leave

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

Example

Quiero ir al mercado.

I want to go to the market.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Mexico City for work and needed to get conversational fast. Two weeks of daily practice and I was ordering tacos and negotiating with my landlord in Spanish.”

David K., 35, Startup Founder

“I spent a month backpacking through Colombia and this app was a lifesaver. The lessons meant I could handle real situations from day one.”

Rachel T., 26, Travel Blogger

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer