American English
/ˈgɑ.ɾə/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of got
Gotta is usually followed by a verb and is an informal spelling of the obligation expression used in phrases such as I gotta go.
Says that someone must or needs to do something. It is very informal.
Practice out loudSays that someone must or needs to do something. It is very informal.
I gotta leave before six.
She's gotta call her doctor today.
Gotta is common in speech and informal writing. Use have to or must in formal writing.
to have or possess something
I've got a meeting at three.
must; need to do something
We've got to call her today.
understood
Okay, I got it now.
Got is the past form of get. In American English, gotten is common in many other uses, but got is used in have got and have got to.