15초 만에
- Politely signals it's time to leave.
- Softer than 'I am leaving now.'
- Works in casual and semi-formal settings.
- Use when you need to depart soon.
뜻
이것은 곧 장소를 떠나거나 대화를 끝내야 함을 알리는 공손하고 일반적인 방법입니다. '지금 가야 해요'라고 말하는 것보다 부드러우며, 즐거운 시간을 보냈지만 이제 떠날 시간임을 암시합니다.
주요 예문
3 / 12Texting a friend after a long chat
Hey! That was a great catch-up. I should get going now, but let's do it again soon!
Hey! That was a great catch-up. I should get going now, but let's do it again soon!
At a casual dinner party
This has been lovely, thank you! I really should get going though, it's getting late.
This has been lovely, thank you! I really should get going though, it's getting late.
Ending a work meeting on Zoom
Alright team, that covers everything for today. I should get going, I have another call.
Alright team, that covers everything for today. I should get going, I have another call.
문화적 배경
The 'Midwestern Goodbye' is a long process. Saying 'I should get going' is just the first step of many. Often accompanied by slapping one's thighs and saying 'Right then...' before the phrase. Leaving is often seen as an apology for taking up the host's time, so 'I should get going' is very polite. Directness is valued, so once you say you should get going, people expect you to actually leave.
The 'Well' Factor
Always start with 'Well...' or 'Anyway...' to make the exit feel natural.
Don't over-explain
You don't need a long reason. 'I should get going' is enough on its own.
15초 만에
- Politely signals it's time to leave.
- Softer than 'I am leaving now.'
- Works in casual and semi-formal settings.
- Use when you need to depart soon.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to for politely exiting a situation. It's softer than saying 'I have to leave' or 'I'm leaving now.' It implies you *could* stay, but you *should* get going. It’s a gentle signal that your departure is imminent. It’s like a polite whisper saying, 'My time is almost up!'
How To Use It
Use it when you're ready to wrap things up. Maybe you've stayed a bit longer than planned. Or you have another commitment. You can say it to hosts, friends, or colleagues. It works at the end of a visit, a meeting, or even a phone call. Just drop it in naturally when the moment feels right.
Formality & Register
This phrase is wonderfully versatile. It leans towards informal but can easily be dressed up for semi-formal settings. Think of it as a chameleon! With friends, it’s super casual. In a work meeting that’s winding down, it sounds professional yet friendly. It’s rarely, if ever, *too* formal. It’s the social lubricant of departures!
Real-Life Examples
- At a friend's house: 'This was fun, but I should get going. Early start tomorrow!'
- End of a Zoom call: 'Great chat everyone, I should get going now.'
- Leaving a party: 'Thanks for having me! It's getting late, so I should get going.'
- Ending a phone call: 'Okay, talk soon! I should get going.'
- Leaving a coffee shop: 'Enjoy the rest of your day! I should get going.'
When To Use It
- When you need to leave but don't want to seem rude.
- To signal the end of a pleasant interaction.
- When you have another appointment or task.
- To gently end a long conversation.
- When you've overstayed your welcome (slightly).
- It’s perfect for social gatherings, casual meetups, and even some work contexts.
When NOT To Use It
- In a crisis: 'Help! The building is on fire! I should get going!' (Obviously not!)
- When you are *required* to stay: If your boss says 'Don't leave yet,' don't say this.
- When you are leaving abruptly or angrily: It sounds too polite for a dramatic exit.
- If you are the host and guests are just arriving: That would be confusing!
- When you literally have no intention of leaving soon: Don't mislead people!
Common Mistakes
A common faux pas is using it too early. Saying 'Okay, I should get going' right after arriving is just odd. It can also sound passive-aggressive if you're clearly unhappy and want to leave. Another mistake is using it in very formal settings where a more direct phrase like 'I must take my leave now' is appropriate. Oh, and don't forget to actually *go* after saying it, or people might think you're just making small talk!
Common Variations
- 'I gotta go': Super casual, often used in texts or with close friends.
- 'I need to head out': Slightly more formal than 'get going,' very common.
- 'I should be heading off': Similar to 'get going,' perhaps a bit more British.
- 'Time for me to go': A bit more direct, but still polite.
- 'I've got to run': Implies you're in a hurry.
- 'I must be going': A classic, slightly more formal phrase. Sounds a bit old-fashioned but still perfectly understood.
Real Conversations
Scenario 1: At a friend's birthday party.
Friend
You
Friend
Scenario 2: Ending a work video call.
Colleague 1: 'So, we'll circle back on this next week.'
Colleague 2: 'Sounds good. Anything else, anyone?'
You
Colleague 1: 'You too! Bye.'
Quick FAQ
- Is it rude to say 'I should get going'? No, it's actually very polite!
- Can I use this in a job interview? Probably not. Stick to more formal language then.
- Does it mean I *have* to leave immediately? Not necessarily, it's a softer signal.
- What if I'm not actually going anywhere? It can sound a bit strange, like you're just making conversation.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is highly versatile, fitting comfortably in most casual and semi-formal interactions. Avoid using it in extremely formal settings or when a very direct statement of necessity is required. Remember that saying it implies you intend to leave reasonably soon; lingering too long afterward can undermine its politeness.
The 'Well' Factor
Always start with 'Well...' or 'Anyway...' to make the exit feel natural.
Don't over-explain
You don't need a long reason. 'I should get going' is enough on its own.
The Body Language
Lean forward or start gathering your things while you say it to reinforce the message.
예시
12Hey! That was a great catch-up. I should get going now, but let's do it again soon!
Hey! That was a great catch-up. I should get going now, but let's do it again soon!
Signals the end of the phone call naturally.
This has been lovely, thank you! I really should get going though, it's getting late.
This has been lovely, thank you! I really should get going though, it's getting late.
Politely excuses yourself from the gathering.
Alright team, that covers everything for today. I should get going, I have another call.
Alright team, that covers everything for today. I should get going, I have another call.
Professional way to exit a virtual meeting.
Thanks for the coffee! It was great seeing you, but I should get going.
Thanks for the coffee! It was great seeing you, but I should get going.
A standard, friendly way to announce departure.
What an amazing day! Soaking up the last bits before I should get going. ✨ #blessed
What an amazing day! Soaking up the last bits before I should get going. ✨ #blessed
Used humorously to imply the fun is ending.
Love this vibe! Looks like you should get going to your next adventure soon!
Love this vibe! Looks like you should get going to your next adventure soon!
Referring to the subject's implied next activity.
Thank you for the information. I should get going now as I have a prior commitment.
Thank you for the information. I should get going now as I have a prior commitment.
A polite closing in a professional context.
✗ Hi, nice to meet you! I should get going now.
✗ Hi, nice to meet you! I should get going now.
This sounds abrupt and confusing when you've just arrived.
✗ The boss is watching me, but I should get going anyway.
✗ The boss is watching me, but I should get going anyway.
This implies defiance or a lack of understanding of your situation.
This means so much to me. Thank you for listening. I really should get going now, but I'll call you tomorrow.
This means so much to me. Thank you for listening. I really should get going now, but I'll call you tomorrow.
Adds a touch of gentle finality after an emotional conversation.
Great meeting! Thanks for grabbing coffee. I should get going before traffic gets worse.
Great meeting! Thanks for grabbing coffee. I should get going before traffic gets worse.
Connects the departure to a practical reason.
Wow, what a concert! Time to head home. I should get going before the main crowd leaves.
Wow, what a concert! Time to head home. I should get going before the main crowd leaves.
Used to avoid a rush.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
It's getting late, so I really ____ get going.
We use 'should' + base verb (get) for this polite expression.
Which sentence is the most polite way to leave a friend's house?
Choose the best option:
'I should get going' is the standard polite social exit.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Do you want another piece of cake? B: Oh, it looks great, but ____. I have a bus to catch.
This phrase is perfect for declining an offer while signaling departure.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'I should get going' with the correct context:
It is used to signal the end of an interaction.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제It's getting late, so I really ____ get going.
We use 'should' + base verb (get) for this polite expression.
Choose the best option:
'I should get going' is the standard polite social exit.
A: Do you want another piece of cake? B: Oh, it looks great, but ____. I have a bus to catch.
This phrase is perfect for declining an offer while signaling departure.
Match 'I should get going' with the correct context:
It is used to signal the end of an interaction.
🎉 점수: /4
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자주 묻는 질문
5 질문No, it's actually one of the most polite ways to leave. It suggests you have a duty to be elsewhere, not that you want to leave the person.
Yes, 'I should be going' is almost identical in meaning and just as polite.
'I'd better' is slightly stronger and often implies you'll be late if you don't leave now.
It's common to give a small reason (e.g., 'it's late'), but not strictly necessary.
Yes, it's very common in professional settings to end meetings or casual office chats.
관련 표현
I'd better be off
synonymI should leave now.
I'm gonna head out
similarI am leaving.
I must be going
specialized formI need to leave.
Gotta run
informalI have to leave quickly.
