我先走了
wǒ xiān zǒu le
I'm off or gotta go
我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le) is a polite way to say 'I'm leaving' or 'I'm off.' The character 先 (xiān, 'first') implies that others may stay, making it a considerate exit line.
What does 我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le) mean?
我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le) means “I'm off or gotta go” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “I first leave now.”
When to use it
Neutral and polite. It's commonly used when leaving a gathering or a place while others are still present. A more direct but less polite way to say 'I'm leaving' is 我走了 (wǒ zǒu le).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like 'waw shyen zoh luh.' The 'le' is a light, neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 我走了wǒ zǒu leI'm leaving (more direct)
- 我得走了wǒ děi zǒu leI have to go
- 再见zàijiàngoodbye
Examples
时间不早了，我先走了。
shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ xiān zǒu le.
It's getting late, I'm off.
你们慢慢聊，我先走了。
nǐmen mànman liáo, wǒ xiān zǒu le.
You all chat slowly, I'll go first.
我先走了，明天见！
wǒ xiān zǒu le, míngtiān jiàn!
I'm off, see you tomorrow!
Pro tip: The 先 (xiān) makes this phrase polite, indicating you're leaving before others and not expecting them to follow.
Related phrases
快点 · Hurry up别急 · No rush我马上来 · I'll be right there
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