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How to Say ‘I'd better get going.’ in Simplified Chinese

那我先走了。

nà wǒ xiān zǒu le

[nà wǒ shyen dzoh le]

🇨🇳 In China: This is the polite way to end a chat. Opening with 那 (nà) "well then" signals the wrap-up gently, so it doesn't feel like you're cutting the conversation off.

Phrase Breakdown

那我先

nà wǒ xiān

then I'll first

那 (then / well) starts the sentence. Say it nà wǒ xiān.

Example

那我先吃了。

Then I'll eat first.

Words in this phrase

那

nà

[nà]

then

Used to indicate a logical or temporal continuity from a previous statement or event.

Example

那我们该怎么办？

Then what should we do?

我

wǒ

[wǒ]

Refers to oneself.

Example

我是老师。

I am a teacher.

先

xiān

[shyen]

first; for now

Shows doing one step before others; useful for setting small, manageable goals.

Example

我们先改一个习惯。

Let's first change one habit.

走了。

zǒu le

be going / leave

A polite way to say goodbye when leaving. Say it zǒu le.

Example

我们走了。

We're leaving.

Words in this phrase

走

zǒu

[dzoh]

to walk; to go

A very common verb meaning to walk, leave, or go on foot.

Example

他每天走路去公司。

He walks to the company every day.

了

[le]

change-of-situation particle

Placed at the end of a sentence to show a new situation or something about to happen.

Example

我要走了。

I'm about to leave.

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