Italian Phrase
Devo andare.
Meaning
‘Devo andare’ literally means ‘I have to go.’ It conveys a personal obligation or a strong intention to leave, whether for a meeting, a class, or simply to exit a room.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to excuse yourself, when you’re pressed for time, or when you want to tell someone that you must leave immediately. It works in both formal and informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Devoandare
Dovere (modal verb)
‘Devo’ is the first‑person singular present of ‘dovere’, used to express obligation or necessity.
Infinitive after a modal
In Italian a modal verb (dovere, potere, volere, sapere) is followed directly by the infinitive of the main action, without ‘to’.
🗨In Conversation
Devo andare.
I have to go.
Va bene, ci vediamo più tardi.
Alright, see you later.
✕Common Mistakes
Devo andare a.
Do not add an extra preposition before the infinitive; ‘andare’ already carries the sense of movement.
Io devo andare.
The subject pronoun ‘io’ is redundant because the verb ending already indicates the speaker.
Devo andare a la scuola.
In Italian the article is omitted after ‘a’ when talking about institutions.
↔Alternatives
Devo partire.
I have to leave.
Devo uscire.
I have to go out.
Mi devo andare.
I must go.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, stating an obligation with ‘devo’ is a polite way to excuse yourself without sounding abrupt. It’s common to add a brief reason after the phrase (e.g., ‘Devo andare, ho un appuntamento’) to soften the departure. Avoid over‑using ‘devo’ in casual chat; a simple ‘esco’ (I’m going out) can feel more relaxed among friends.