A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I should get going" in French
Polite and common French phrase to signal you need to depart a social gathering or meeting.
Je devrais y aller.
zhuh duh-VRAY ee-t-lah-LAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you've been chatting with friends or colleagues and it's time to leave. It's a gentle way to end a conversation without being abrupt.
Alternatives
- Il faut que j'y aille.Slightly more insistent, meaning 'I must go'.
- Je m'en vais.More direct and common in casual goodbyes.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'devrais'
The 'vrais' sounds like 'vray', not 'vray-iss'.
Silent 't' in 'y aller'
The 't' in 'y aller' is not pronounced; it links to 'y'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I should go in French?
The most standard way is 'Je devrais y aller.' This politely indicates it's time for you to leave.
Is 'Je devrais y aller' formal?
It's a neutral phrase that works in most settings. You can use it with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances.
What's a more casual way to say I need to go?
A more casual option is 'Je m'en vais,' which is a direct and common way to say you're leaving.
