In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to say you need to leave a place.
- Uses the verb 'müssen' (conjugated) and 'gehen' (at the end).
- Direct, polite, and works in almost any social or professional setting.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard, everyday way to say you need to leave. It is a polite but direct way to signal that your time at a location or event has come to an end.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving a friend's house
Es ist spät, ich muss jetzt gehen.
It's late, I have to go now.
Ending a work meeting
Entschuldigung, ich habe einen Termin und muss gehen.
Sorry, I have an appointment and have to go.
Texting a friend to end a conversation
Ich muss jetzt leider gehen, bis morgen!
I have to go now unfortunately, see you tomorrow!
Cultural Background
The 'Feierabend' culture means that when work is over, it's over. Saying 'Ich muss gehen' at 5:00 PM is respected and expected. In Vienna, departures can be even more prolonged and polite. You might hear 'Ich darf mich empfehlen,' a very old-fashioned and formal way to say 'I must go.' Swiss German often uses 'Ich mues goh.' The directness is similar, but the pronunciation is distinct. Punctuality is a sign of respect. If you say you 'must go' because of another appointment, people will appreciate your reliability.
Add 'leider'
Adding 'leider' (unfortunately) makes the phrase sound much warmer and more polite. 'Ich muss leider gehen.'
Word Order
Always remember to put 'gehen' at the very end. Don't let other words sneak past it!
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to say you need to leave a place.
- Uses the verb 'müssen' (conjugated) and 'gehen' (at the end).
- Direct, polite, and works in almost any social or professional setting.
What It Means
Gehen müssen is your ultimate exit strategy. It is the most common way to say you need to leave. It is simple, direct, and very German. You are telling people that your time at this location is over. It doesn't mean you are bored or unhappy. It just means life is calling you elsewhere. Think of it as your "get out of jail free" card. It works in almost every social situation imaginable. You are simply stating a fact about your schedule.
How To Use It
Grammar can be tricky, but this one is easy. You use the modal verb müssen. You conjugate it to match the person leaving. Ich muss, du musst, er muss, and so on. The word gehen stays in its basic form. It always travels to the very end of the sentence. If you want to sound like a pro, add jetzt (now). Ich muss jetzt gehen sounds perfectly natural. You can also add leider (unfortunately) to be extra polite. It’s like a sandwich with your reason in the middle.
When To Use It
Use this when you see your train pulling into the station. Use it at a party when you are getting tired. It’s perfect for the end of a business meeting. Even when texting, it’s a quick way to end a chat. If you are at a cafe with a friend, it signals the end. It’s the universal signal that the current activity is finishing. You’ll hear it in movies, offices, and on the street. It is truly everywhere in the German-speaking world.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are just stepping out for a smoke. If you are coming back in five minutes, don't say it. People will think you are leaving for the day. Also, avoid it if you are just moving to another room. It implies a total departure from the current event. If you use it too abruptly without a smile, you might seem rushed. But generally, it's hard to use this phrase incorrectly. Just don't say it while you are sitting down to eat!
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for their love of efficiency and directness. This phrase is a perfect example of that cultural trait. In some cultures, saying "I have to go" feels a bit rude. You might feel the need to make up a long story. In Germany, you don't need a complex excuse. Saying you have to go is considered honest and respectful. It shows you value the other person's time as much as yours. It’s part of the famous "German Goodbye" which is often very short and efficient.
Common Variations
You will often hear people shorten this in casual settings. Ich muss los is a very popular alternative among friends. It literally means "I must off." Another common one is Ich muss weg, which means "I must away." If you want to be very formal, you might say something else. You could say Ich muss mich leider verabschieden. But for 95% of your life, gehen müssen is king. It’s the reliable old car of German phrases—it never lets you down.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and safe for A1 learners. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it appropriate for both your boss and your best friend.
Add 'leider'
Adding 'leider' (unfortunately) makes the phrase sound much warmer and more polite. 'Ich muss leider gehen.'
Word Order
Always remember to put 'gehen' at the very end. Don't let other words sneak past it!
The 'Ich muss' shortcut
In very casual speech, you can just say 'Ich muss jetzt' if the context of leaving is obvious. It's very native-sounding!
Examples
6Es ist spät, ich muss jetzt gehen.
It's late, I have to go now.
A very standard, friendly way to end an evening.
Entschuldigung, ich habe einen Termin und muss gehen.
Sorry, I have an appointment and have to go.
Professional and provides a brief reason for leaving.
Ich muss jetzt leider gehen, bis morgen!
I have to go now unfortunately, see you tomorrow!
The word 'leider' adds a touch of politeness in text.
Mein Bier ist leer, ich muss gehen!
My beer is empty, I have to go!
A lighthearted way to joke about leaving or just going to the bar.
Ich will nicht, aber ich muss gehen.
I don't want to, but I have to go.
Expresses reluctance while acknowledging the necessity of leaving.
Wir müssen jetzt gehen, der Bus kommt gleich.
We have to go now, the bus is coming soon.
Using the plural 'wir' for a group departure.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'müssen'.
Es ist 22 Uhr. Ich ___ jetzt gehen.
The subject is 'Ich', so the conjugated form of 'müssen' is 'muss'.
Which sentence has the correct word order?
Select the correct sentence:
In German, the infinitive 'gehen' must go to the end of the sentence.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Trinkst du noch einen Kaffee? B: Nein, danke. Ich ___ ___ ___.
This is the standard way to decline and announce departure.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a formal business meeting and need to leave.
'Entschuldigen Sie' adds the necessary formality for a business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Leave
Neutral
- • Ich muss gehen.
- • Ich muss jetzt weg.
Informal
- • Ich muss los!
- • Ich bin dann mal weg.
Formal
- • Ich muss mich verabschieden.
- • Ich muss leider aufbrechen.
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEs ist 22 Uhr. Ich ___ jetzt gehen.
The subject is 'Ich', so the conjugated form of 'müssen' is 'muss'.
Select the correct sentence:
In German, the infinitive 'gehen' must go to the end of the sentence.
A: Trinkst du noch einen Kaffee? B: Nein, danke. Ich ___ ___ ___.
This is the standard way to decline and announce departure.
You are at a formal business meeting and need to leave.
'Entschuldigen Sie' adds the necessary formality for a business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's very standard. To make it softer, add 'leider' (unfortunately) or 'es tut mir leid' (I'm sorry).
Yes! Even if you aren't walking, 'gehen' is the general verb for leaving a social situation.
'Ich muss weg' is more urgent and slightly more informal. It literally means 'I must [be] away.'
Use the past tense of müssen: 'Ich musste gehen.'
It's common in Germany to give a brief reason (e.g., 'it's late', 'I have to work'), but it's not strictly required.
No, that's a literal translation from English and sounds very wrong in German.
Yes, 'Ich muss los' is a very common, slightly more informal version of 'Ich muss gehen.'
The conjugated verb goes to the end: '...weil ich gehen muss.'
It's better to use 'kündigen' (to quit) or 'verlassen' (to leave). 'Gehen müssen' usually means leaving for the day.
Just change the pronoun: 'Wir müssen jetzt gehen.'
Related Phrases
losmüssen
similarto have to head off
weggehen
similarto go out / to leave
verlassen
specialized formto leave a place/person
aufbrechen
formalto set off / to depart
sich verabschieden
builds onto say goodbye
