A cheerful cartoon traveler, wearing a small backpack, walking away down a winding path towards the background. The traveler is waving goodbye over their shoulder.

marcho

MAHR-choh

Verb FormA1first-person singular present tense of the reflexive verb 'marcharse' ar

I leave?Announcing departure,I'm going?Announcing departure

Also:I'm off?Informal departure

Quick Reference

infinitivemarcharse

gerundmarchándose

past Participlemarchado

📝 In Action

Ya es muy tarde, me marcho.

It's very late already, I'm leaving.

Si no hay nada más, me marcho a almorzar.

If there's nothing else, I'm going off to have lunch.

Me marcho de vacaciones el viernes.

I'm leaving on vacation on Friday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

me voy (I go (I leave))
salgo (I go out)

Antonyms

vuelvo (I return)

Common Collocations

Me marcho de viaje – I'm leaving on a trip

💡 Grammar Points

The Reflexive 'Me'

Since 'marcho' comes from 'marcharse' (to leave oneself), you must include the little word 'me' before it: 'Me marcho.' This 'me' tells you that the action is happening to the person speaking.

Contrast with 'Marchar'

The non-reflexive verb 'marchar' means 'to march' or 'to work/function.' Only 'marcharse' means 'to leave.' 'El reloj marcha' (The clock works), but 'Me marcho' (I leave).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: "Yo marcho."

Correction: Yo me marcho. You must include the 'me' when you mean 'I am leaving' to make it clear you are using the reflexive verb.

⭐ Usage Tips

Informal and Direct

Using 'Me marcho' is a very common, slightly more emphatic way to say 'I'm leaving' compared to the more general 'Me voy' (I go/leave).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: marcho

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'marcho' to mean 'I am leaving'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

marcharse(to leave, to go away) - verb

la marcha(the departure; the pace; the gear (in a car)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'Me marcho' and 'Me voy'?

Both mean 'I am leaving.' 'Me voy' (from the verb 'irse') is the most common and versatile way to say it. 'Me marcho' (from 'marcharse') carries a slightly stronger sense of announcing a definitive departure and is often used when you are leaving a place or group of people.

Can I use 'marcho' without 'me'?

Yes, but it changes the meaning completely. 'Yo marcho' means 'I march' (like in a parade) or, rarely, 'I am functioning/working' (like a machine). If you intend to say 'I am leaving,' you must use 'Me marcho.'