You are chatting in Spanish and need to leave soon. In this workshop, you will practice polite phrases to announce you are going, give a simple reason, and respond when someone asks if you are leaving. All examples come from the recorded lines. You will play both roles: the person leaving and the person staying. Listen, repeat, and check yourself with the answers provided.
Saying you have to go
Start with a polite signal. «Disculpa, tengo que irme» means “Excuse me, I have to go.” Use it with friends, coworkers, or acquaintances. Then add a simple reason. «Tengo una reunión temprano mañana» means “I have an early meeting tomorrow.” You can also say «Tengo que hacer una llamada» — “I have to make a call” — when you need to step away briefly. For a casual exit, «Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir» means “I’m tired, I’m going to sleep.” If you are female, say “cansada.” These lines are enough to leave politely without inventing new phrases.
Understanding the reply
When you say you are leaving, the other person may ask «Oye, ¿ya te vas?» — “Hey, are you leaving already?” You can answer with your excuse: «Sí, disculpa. Tengo una reunión temprano mañana» — “Yes, excuse me. I have an early meeting tomorrow.” The other person may say «Claro, no hay problema. Que descanses» — “Of course, no problem. Rest well.” Then you can close with «Gracias, nos vemos pronto» — “Thanks, see you soon.” Notice that “Que descanses” is a friendly goodbye, not a question. Your reply “Gracias, nos vemos pronto” works in both casual and polite situations.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Disculpa, tengo que irme.
Excuse me, I have to go.
dees-KOOL-pah, TEN-goh keh EER-meh
Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.
I have an early meeting tomorrow.
TEN-goh OO-nah reh-oo-NYOHN tem-PRAH-noh mah-NYAH-nah
Tengo que hacer una llamada.
I have to make a call.
TEN-goh keh ah-SEHR OO-nah yah-MAH-dah
Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir.
I'm tired, I'm going to sleep.
es-TOY kahn-SAH-doh, meh BOY ah dor-MEER
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Oye, ¿ya te vas?
Hey, are you leaving already?Sí, disculpa. Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.
Yes, excuse me. I have an early meeting tomorrow.Claro, no hay problema. Que descanses.
Of course, no problem. Rest well.Gracias, nos vemos pronto.
Thanks, see you soon.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: leave politely
You are at a small gathering. You need to leave because you have an early meeting tomorrow. A friend notices you are about to go.
Your task: Play both roles. First, say the line that means “Excuse me, I have to go.” Then give your reason using the line about an early meeting. Then respond to “Oye, ¿ya te vas?” with “Sí, disculpa” plus your reason. Finally, close with “Gracias, nos vemos pronto.” Use the recorded lines exactly.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You hear someone say «Oye, ¿ya te vas?» You want to confirm you are leaving and give your excuse. You also hear «Claro, no hay problema. Que descanses.»
Your task: Choose the best reply from the recorded lines. Option A: «Sí, disculpa. Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.» Option B: «Estoy cansado, me voy a dormir.» Option C: «Tengo que hacer una llamada.» Then say the line that means “Of course, no problem. Rest well” as a reply to someone leaving.
Recall with correct roles
You will now recall the full exchange without looking at the lines. One person is leaving; the other is staying. The leaving person has an early meeting tomorrow.
Your task: Say the five lines in order from memory. Person A (leaving): «Disculpa, tengo que irme.» Person B (staying): «Oye, ¿ya te vas?» Person A: «Sí, disculpa. Tengo una reunión temprano mañana.» Person B: «Claro, no hay problema. Que descanses.» Person A: «Gracias, nos vemos pronto.» Then switch roles and repeat.
Common questions
Can I use these lines with anyone?
These lines are polite and work with friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. «Disculpa, tengo que irme» is a general polite way to announce you are leaving. In Spain, people often say “Perdona” instead of “Disculpa,” but both are understood. Choose the reason that fits your situation: a meeting, a call, or being tired.
What if I only need to step away for a moment?
Use «Tengo que hacer una llamada» — “I have to make a call.” This line is useful when you need to step away briefly. It does not always mean you are leaving the event forever. You can say it, make your call, and then return. If you are leaving for the day, use «Disculpa, tengo que irme» with a reason like an early meeting.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: making excuses to leaveChecked September 2026
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