French - Cancelling Plans

Désolé, je ne peux pas venir.

I'm sorry, I can't make it.

Meaning: I'm sorry, I can't make it.

When to use: Use when you need to apologize and say you cannot attend a planned meeting or event. If you are female, say Désolée, je ne peux pas venir.

Tip: Mixing Désolé vs Désolée — match the ending to the speaker's gender.

Je dois annuler ce qu'on avait prévu.

I have to cancel our plans.

Meaning: I have to cancel our plans.

When to use: Say this when you need to cancel an existing arrangement directly and clearly.

J'ai un imprévu.

Something came up.

Meaning: Something came up.

When to use: Use this short phrase to give a general reason for cancelling without many details.

Je ne me sens pas bien.

I'm not feeling well.

Meaning: I'm not feeling well.

When to use: Give this reason when you must cancel because of illness or feeling unwell.

On peut reporter ?

Can we reschedule?

Meaning: Can we reschedule?

When to use: Use this to ask politely if the plan can be moved to another time.

On peut décaler à ___ ?

Can we move it to ___?

Meaning: Can we move it to ___?

When to use: Suggest a specific new time or date — finish the sentence with a day or time (e.g., demain, 15 h, vendredi).

Tip: Don't forget to add the new time or date after à.

___, ça te va toujours ?

Does ___ still work for you?

Meaning: Does ___ still work for you?

When to use: Use this to check if a suggested time or date is still good for the other person (fill the blank with the time/date).

On fait ça une autre fois.

Let's do it another time.

Meaning: Let's do it another time.

When to use: Use this friendly phrase to postpone without proposing a specific date.

Désolé(e) de te prévenir au dernier moment.

Sorry for the short notice.

Meaning: Sorry for the short notice.

When to use: Apologize when you have to cancel at the last minute. Use Désolé(e) depending on the speaker's gender; with vous, say Désolé(e) de vous prévenir au dernier moment.

Tip: Remember to match Désolé/Désolée to the speaker's gender and use vous when appropriate.

Merci de comprendre.

Thanks for understanding.

Meaning: Thanks for understanding.

When to use: Use this after explaining the cancellation to show appreciation for the other person's flexibility.

Je dois changer le ___.

I need to change the ___.

Meaning: I need to change the ___.

When to use: Say this to indicate which part of the arrangement (le jour, la date, l'heure) needs to change.

Tip: Choose the correct article (le/la/l') for the noun you change (le jour, la date, l'heure).

Ça te va si on se voit plus tard ?

Is it okay if we meet later?

Meaning: Is it okay if we meet later?

When to use: Use this polite question to ask if meeting later than planned is acceptable. For a more formal address use: Ça vous va si on se voit plus tard ?

Je ne suis pas disponible à ce moment-là.

I'm not available then.

Meaning: I'm not available then.

When to use: Say this when the suggested time does not fit your schedule. In casual speech you can say Je ne suis pas dispo à ce moment-là.