Reflexive question

Reflexive question
 

does "tengo que ir" mean essentially the same thing as "tengo que irme" (I have to go) Why use the reflexive irse?

It doesn't. The second one means to go away from a place.

Me tengo que ir. = I've got to go.
Tengo que ir a la escuela. = I've got to go to school.
Te vas a ir de casa. = You've got to move out.

"Ir" and "irse" have different perspectives. "Ir" focuses on the destination, on the fact that one is going to some place. "Irse" focuses on the point of origin, on the fact that one is leaving from some place.

To clarify... if I say "tengo que ir" to a group of spanish speaking people they would be expecting me to finish the sentence with where I am going?

On the other hand "tengo que irme" is a complete sentence.

Thanks!

Ricardo

Is this generally true of all reflexives?

It is true in the sense that the pronoun does add something to the meaning of the verb. :thinking:
Maybe this thread can help clarify some functions of the pronominal verbs.
(Please note that not all verbs ending with "-se" are reflexive).

You might notice that AdA uses the name "pronominal verb", and not "reflexive verb".

It is true that "reflexivity" is a common meaning that can be added by using a verb pronominally; however, in the majority of instances where one uses a verb pronominally the addition or alteration of the meaning of the verb is NOT reflexive. Check out the link that AdA gave you.

You might also find some helpful information in a good book on Spanish grammar, especially one geared to more advanced learners of Spanish. However, for the most part you will need to learn what the possible meanings are individually for each verb that either can be used pronominally or must be used pronominally.