A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I have to go" in French
The standard French phrase for 'I have to go,' useful in many everyday situations.
Je dois y aller.
zhuh dwahz ee ah-LAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you need to excuse yourself from a conversation or a gathering. It's a polite way to signal the end of your participation.
Alternatives
- Il faut que je parte.Slightly more formal, emphasizing necessity.
- Je dois filer.More casual, like 'I gotta dash.'
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'doit' like 'doyt'
The 'oi' in 'doit' makes an 'wah' sound, not 'oyt'.
Forgetting the 'y' in 'y aller'
The 'y' replaces 'there' and is essential for the phrase to mean 'go there'.
A small cultural note
French culture often values politeness in departures, so using a clear phrase like this is appreciated.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'Je dois y aller' and 'Il faut que je parte'?
'Je dois y aller' is a direct statement of personal obligation. 'Il faut que je parte' is a more general statement about the necessity of leaving.
Can I use 'Je dois partir' instead?
Yes, 'Je dois partir' is also common and means 'I have to leave.' It's very similar in usage to 'Je dois y aller.'
How to say 'I have to go now' in French?
You can say 'Je dois y aller maintenant.' Adding 'maintenant' (now) makes the urgency clear.
