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How to Say ‘I'll be going now’ in Simplified Chinese

我先走了

wǒ xiān zǒu le

[waw shyen zǒu le]

🇨🇳 In China: This is the polite way to excuse yourself when leaving a gathering before others. It literally means "I'll leave first", acknowledging that the others are staying.

Phrase Breakdown

我先

wǒ xiān

I (will) first

我 (I) + 先 (first / before others). 我 is third tone, 先 is first tone.

Example

我先吃饭。

I'll eat first.

Words in this phrase

我

wǒ

[waw]

I; me

The first-person pronoun, used to refer to yourself.

Example

我也想了解这个公司的文化。

I also want to understand this company’s culture.

先

xiān

[shyen]

first; for now

先 suggests doing something as the first step, useful in making light invitations.

Example

那就先陪我坐一会儿，再决定去哪儿。

Then keep me company for a bit first, and we can decide where to go after.

走了

zǒu le

be leaving

走 (leave/go) + 了 (shows a change or coming action). 了 is light: le.

Example

他已经走了。

He has already left.

Words in this phrase

走

zǒu

[zǒu]

to walk; to leave

Indicates the action of moving along by foot or exiting.

Example

我们该走了。

We should leave now.

了

[le]

particle

Indicates past tense.

Example

我预约了今天的会议。

I scheduled today's meeting.

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