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How to Say ‘I have to go’ in Spain Spanish

Me tengo que ir

meh TEN-goh keh eer

[meh TEN-goh keh eer]

💬 Usage Tip: tener que + an action means "to have to": tengo que trabajar "I have to work." The me can also go at the end, joined on: Tengo que irme. Both are fine.

🇪🇸 In Spain: Mentioning friends waiting is a polite, face-saving way to end a chat. In Spain, people accept it without pushing.

Phrase Breakdown

Me tengo

meh TEN-goh

I have (to)…

'Me' belongs to 'ir' (irse, to leave) but is placed before 'tengo'. Say 'meh TEN-go'.

Example

Me tengo que levantar.

I have to get up.

Words in this phrase

[meh]

myself

Reflexive pronoun used with 'irse', to leave.

Example

Me voy a casa.

I'm going home.

tengo

[TEN-goh]

I have

First person singular of tener; used to express possession, plans, or obligations.

Example

Tengo disponibilidad el viernes por la tarde.

I am available on Friday afternoon.

que ir

keh eer

to go / leave

'Tener que' plus a verb means 'to have to'. Blend the words: 'keh-EER'.

Example

Tengo que ir al médico.

I have to go to the doctor.

Words in this phrase

que

[keh]

to (in 'have to')

Links 'tener' with an infinitive to show obligation.

Example

Tengo que trabajar.

I have to work.

[eer]

to go

Verb used for movement from one place to another.

Example

¿Quiere ir al centro?

Do you want to go to the city centre?

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