Spanish for Beginners: Polite Excuses to End a Conversation or Leave a Gathering
Learn beginner-friendly Latin American Spanish phrases to politely end a chat or leave a party, using reasons like an early meeting, a call, or feeling tired.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you need to end a conversation or leave a gathering without sounding rude. In Spanish, a polite excuse usually has two parts: a short apology or signal, then a reason. This lesson teaches you beginner-level phrases for that exact situation. You will learn how to say you have an early meeting, need to make a call, feel tired, or have to get up early. You will also learn a useful pattern: tener que + infinitive, which means 'to have to' do something. The examples use broadly useful Latin American Spanish. Where a phrase changes in Spain, I note it. Focus on the reason phrases, not on general goodbyes, so you can leave politely and clearly.
By the end, you can…
- politely signal that I need to end a conversation or leave a gathering.
- give a simple reason using tengo que + infinitive or tengo una + noun.
- choose an appropriate excuse for a casual or formal situation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Disculpa, tengo que irme.
Excuse me, I have to go.
dees-KOOL-pah, TEN-goh keh EER-meh
A general, polite way to announce you are leaving. Use it with friends, coworkers, or acquaintances. In Spain, people often say 'Perdona' instead of 'Disculpa'.
Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.
I have an early meeting tomorrow.
TEN-goh OO-nah reh-oo-NYOHN tem-PRAH-noh mah-NYAH-nah
A clear work or school excuse. 'Temprano' means early in the day. You can change 'reunión' to 'clase' (class) or 'examen' (exam).
Tengo que hacer una llamada.
I have to make a call.
TEN-goh keh ah-SEHR OO-nah yah-MAH-dah
Useful when you need to step away briefly. It does not always mean you are leaving the event forever.
Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir.
I'm tired, I'm going to sleep.
es-TOY kahn-SAH-doh, meh BOY ah dor-MEER
A friendly, casual excuse. If you are female, say 'cansada'. In Latin America, 'me voy a dormir' is common; in Spain, 'me voy a la cama' is also common.
Ya me tengo que ir, que descanses.
I have to go now, rest well.
yah meh TEN-goh keh EER, keh des-KAHN-ses
A warm closing line. 'Que descanses' is a friendly goodbye at night. Use 'que tengas buen día' for daytime.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most useful pattern for excuses is tengo que + infinitive. 'Tengo' means 'I have', and 'que' plus an infinitive means 'to do something'. Examples: 'Tengo que irme' (I have to go), 'Tengo que trabajar' (I have to work), 'Tengo que hacer una llamada' (I have to make a call). You can also use tengo una + noun for events: 'Tengo una reunión' (I have a meeting), 'Tengo una clase' (I have a class). To add a time, put it at the end: 'Tengo una reunión temprano mañana'. For 'we', change tengo to tenemos: 'Tenemos que irnos'.
When to use it
Use these excuses when you want to leave politely but do not want to explain too much. With friends, 'Disculpa, tengo que irme' or 'Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir' sounds natural. At work or a formal event, use 'Disculpe' (formal 'excuse me') and a clear reason: 'Disculpe, tengo una reunión temprano mañana'. If you only need a short break, say 'Tengo que hacer una llamada' and come back. If you are leaving for the night, add a warm line like 'Que descanses' or 'Que tengas buena noche'. Avoid giving long, complicated reasons; a short reason plus a friendly goodbye is enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Oye, ¿ya te vas?
Hey, are you leaving already?OY-eh, yah teh BAHSSí, disculpa. Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.
Yes, excuse me. I have an early meeting tomorrow.see, dees-KOOL-pah. TEN-goh OO-nah reh-oo-NYOHN tem-PRAH-noh mah-NYAH-nahClaro, no hay problema. Que descanses.
Of course, no problem. Rest well.KLAH-roh, noh ay proh-BLEH-mah. keh des-KAHN-sesGracias, nos vemos pronto.
Thanks, see you soon.GRAH-see-as, nohs BEH-mohs PROHN-tohA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American Spanish-speaking contexts, a short apology plus a reason is enough to leave politely. 'Disculpa' is common in casual settings, while 'Disculpe' is more formal. In Spain, 'Perdona' and 'Perdone' are very common. Adding a friendly closing line like 'Que descanses' or 'Nos vemos' softens the exit. Do not feel you must give a detailed excuse; a simple reason is usually accepted.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Tengo que ir' when you mean 'I have to go' as a complete goodbye.
Try this instead: In Spanish, 'Tengo que ir' sounds incomplete because 'ir' needs a destination. For leaving a place, say 'Tengo que irme' (I have to go/leave). Example: 'Disculpa, tengo que irme'. If you mean going to a specific place, add it: 'Tengo que ir a casa' (I have to go home).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'Excuse me, I have to go' to a friend?
Show a sample answer
Disculpa, tengo que irme.
This uses 'Disculpa' for a casual apology and 'tengo que irme' for 'I have to go/leave'. 'Perdona' is also correct in Spain.
2You have an early exam tomorrow. Make an excuse using 'tengo una'.
Show a sample answer
Tengo un examen temprano mañana.
'Tengo un examen' means 'I have an exam'. 'Temprano mañana' means 'early tomorrow'. You could also say 'Tengo que estudiar' if you need to study.
3You are tired and want to go to sleep. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir.
This gives a reason and a plan. If you are female, say 'cansada'. In Spain, 'me voy a la cama' is also common.
To leave politely in Spanish, use a short apology plus a simple reason: 'Disculpa, tengo que irme' or 'Tengo una reunión temprano mañana'. Keep it short, add a friendly closing line, and you are set.
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