Signification
Indicating it is time to leave.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people value their 'agenda' (calendar). Leaving exactly when you said you would is considered respectful, not rude. Flemish speakers might find the phrase slightly direct. They often soften it with 'Ik denk dat...' (I think that...). In Afrikaans, the sister language of Dutch, the phrase is 'Ek moet nou regtig gaan', which is almost identical. Surinamese Dutch is often more formal and melodic. You might hear 'Ik ga me nu begeven' (I will now betake myself) in older generations, but 'Ik moet nu echt gaan' is standard for youth.
The 'Echt' Factor
Always include 'echt' if you want to sound like a native. Without it, you sound like a robot stating a fact.
Don't linger
In the Netherlands, once you say this, people expect you to actually leave within 2-5 minutes.
Signification
Indicating it is time to leave.
The 'Echt' Factor
Always include 'echt' if you want to sound like a native. Without it, you sound like a robot stating a fact.
Don't linger
In the Netherlands, once you say this, people expect you to actually leave within 2-5 minutes.
The Body Language
Slap your knees with both hands before saying this to signal the transition. It's a classic Dutch move!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the phrase 'I really must go now'.
Ik ___ nu echt gaan.
The modal verb 'moet' (must) is required to express obligation.
Which sentence is the most natural way to leave a party in Dutch?
Select the best option:
This is the standard, polite, and grammatically correct formula.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wil je nog wat drinken? B: Nee, bedankt. Het is al laat en ___.
This fits the context of declining a drink due to the time.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at work and your next meeting starts in 2 minutes.
This phrase conveys the necessary urgency for a professional setting.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk ___ nu echt gaan.
The modal verb 'moet' (must) is required to express obligation.
Select the best option:
This is the standard, polite, and grammatically correct formula.
A: Wil je nog wat drinken? B: Nee, bedankt. Het is al laat en ___.
This fits the context of declining a drink due to the time.
Situation: You are at work and your next meeting starts in 2 minutes.
This phrase conveys the necessary urgency for a professional setting.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it is considered polite and clear in Dutch culture. It shows you value the other person's time as well as your own.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting to signal the end of a meeting.
'Gaan' is general (to go), while 'vertrekken' is more formal (to depart).
Adverbs like 'nu' and 'echt' follow the conjugated verb in Dutch main clauses.
Yes, 'weg' (away) is a very common alternative to 'gaan'.
Expressions liées
Ik ga er vandoor
synonymI'm heading off.
Ik moet weg
similarI must go/be away.
Ik ga maar eens
similarI'll be going then.
Ik moet vertrekken
formalI must depart.
