Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
educationApr 26, 20261:20failed

1040 - Got to → Gotta Speak Naturally in a Minute

About this episode

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

Today, let’s talk about another very natural reduction in American English:  “have got to.” In everyday conversation, HAVE GOT TO becomes  “gotta.”
  • I've got to go. Becomes  I gotta go.
  • You've got to see this. Becomes You gotta see this.
  • We've got to hurry. Becomes We gotta hurry.

This is very common in casual, spoken American English.
Let's practice. Repeat after me. 
  • I gotta go.
  • You gotta see this
  • We gotta hurry.


Nice and smooth - gotta
Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Speak Naturally in a Minute. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.


The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads

📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

Get every episode summarized

Each time Happy English Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

1040 - Got to → Gotta Speak Naturally in a Minute

Happy English Podcast

0:00
1:20

More episodes

More from Happy English Podcast

View all episodes →