[Idiom] I gotta see.

[sitifan]

I gotta see. (at 6:30 of the video below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yEW6AzLAtA&list=PLDzVvHBG2QfEwj4eATUF840ULYyXTlKTN&index=11

Does the quoted sentence mean "I have to see"?

 

[Skrej]

Yes, or 'I need to see'. Note there is no actual word 'gotta'. It's a reduction of the words "got to". You'll hear it in spoken English (especially rapid spoken English), but people shouldn't use 'gotta' it in written English.

Some would take issue with the 'I got to' form anyway, and want the full form of "I have got to".


Edit: For anyone posting Youtube clicks at a specific time, you can right click the timeline bar on the video, and then left click 'copy video URL at the current time' to get a direct link to the specific point in the video, like so: same video at same time

 

[GoesStation]

Or more likely, I've got to. "I gotta" is a short, conversational version of that.

 

[emsr2d2]

but people shouldn't use 'gotta' it in written English.

You can use it in your written English if, and only if, you are transcribing dialogue and the person actually said/says "gotta".

 

[Tdol]

You will also hear gorra in British English. I don't know about American and other variants.

 

[GoesStation]

You will also hear gorra in British English. I don't know about American and other variants.

Not in American English.

 

[Rover_KE]

Americans are more likely to say 'godda'.

 

[GoesStation]

Americans are more likely to say 'godda'.

That's how we pronounce it. We spell it gotta.