Does "got to" here mean "have to"? What does it mean here?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
You are correct! "Got to/gotta" are often used when speaking, instead of "have to." These forms are only used in informal situations and have the effect of making a sentence sound more casual. Ex: I've gotta go. (I have to go.) Ex: You got to go straight and then turn right to find the library. (You have to go straight and then turn right to find the library). Ex: We gotta leave now or we'll be late. (We have to leave now or we'll be late).