Simplified Chinese - Lesson 115 of 156: Appointments

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

这次预约是和谁？

Zhè cì yùyuē shì hé shéi?

Who is the appointment with?

Meaning: Who is the appointment with?

When to use: Ask when you want to confirm who the appointment will be meeting (person, doctor, or specialist).

接待员问：这次预约是和谁？

Jiēdài yuán wèn: Zhè cì yùyuē shì hé shéi?

The receptionist asks: Who is this appointment with?

我忘了约的是哪位老师，能告诉我这次预约是和谁？

Wǒ wàngle yuē de shì nǎ wèi lǎoshī, néng gàosu wǒ zhè cì yùyuē shì hé shéi?

I forgot which teacher I booked — can you tell me who the appointment is with?

我需要带什么

Wǒ xūyào dài shénme?

What should I bring?

Meaning: What should I bring?

When to use: Use this to ask about required items or documents for the appointment (ID, insurance card, forms, etc.).

我第一次来，想确认一下：我需要带什么？

Wǒ dì yī cì lái, xiǎng quèrèn yíxià: Wǒ xūyào dài shénme?

It's my first time — I want to confirm: what do I need to bring?

请问体检当天我需要带什么？

Qǐngwèn tǐjiǎn dāngtiān wǒ xūyào dài shénme?

May I ask what I should bring on the day of the check-up?

我需要提前到吗？

Wǒ xūyào tíqián dào ma?

Do I need to arrive early?

Meaning: Do I need to arrive early?

When to use: Ask this when you're unsure whether to come before the scheduled time for registration or prep.

你们做流程需要时间吗？我需要提前到吗？

Nǐmen zuò liúchéng xūyào shíjiān ma? Wǒ xūyào tíqián dào ma?

Do your procedures take time? Do I need to arrive early?

门诊一般要先填表格，我需要提前到吗？

Ménzhěn yībān yào xiān tián biǎogé, wǒ xūyào tíqián dào ma?

Outpatient usually requires filling forms first — do I need to arrive early?

取消预约要收费吗？

Qǔxiāo yùyuē yào shōufèi ma?

Is there a cancellation fee?

Meaning: Is there a cancellation fee?

When to use: Ask this if you might need to cancel and want to know about extra costs or penalties.

因为工作可能要改时间，取消预约要收费吗？

Yīnwèi gōngzuò kěnéng yào gǎi shíjiān, qǔxiāo yùyuē yào shōufèi ma?

I might need to change time for work — is there a cancellation fee?

医院政策写着不同，取消预约要收费吗？

Yīyuàn zhèngcè xiě zhe bùtóng, qǔxiāo yùyuē yào shōufèi ma?

Policies vary — is there a fee to cancel an appointment?

可以把我放进候补名单吗？

Kěyǐ bǎ wǒ fàng jìn hòubǔ míngdān ma?

Can you put me on the waiting list?

Meaning: Can you put me on the waiting list?

When to use: Use when you want to be notified if an earlier slot becomes available.

如果有人取消，您可以把我放进候补名单吗？

Rúguǒ yǒu rén qǔxiāo, nín kěyǐ bǎ wǒ fàng jìn hòubǔ míngdān ma?

If someone cancels, can you put me on the waiting list?

我想更早一点看，能把我放进候补名单吗？

Wǒ xiǎng gèng zǎo yìdiǎn kàn, néng bǎ wǒ fàng jìn hòubǔ míngdān ma?

I want an earlier appointment — can you put me on the waiting list?

我打电话是想问一下我的预约。

Wǒ dǎ diànhuà shì xiǎng wèn yíxià wǒ de yùyuē.

I'm calling about my appointment.

Meaning: I'm calling about my appointment.

When to use: Start a phone call or message when you want to discuss an existing appointment.

您好，我打电话是想问一下我的预约。

Nín hǎo, wǒ dǎ diànhuà shì xiǎng wèn yíxià wǒ de yùyuē.

Hello, I'm calling about my appointment.

打电话前先说：我打电话是想问一下我的预约，会让对方更快帮忙。

Dǎ diànhuà qián xiān shuō: Wǒ dǎ diànhuà shì xiǎng wèn yíxià wǒ de yùyuē, huì ràng duìfāng gèng kuài bāngmáng.

Before calling, say 'I'm calling about my appointment' — it helps the other person assist faster.

可以给我发个提醒吗？

Kěyǐ gěi wǒ fā ge tíxǐng ma?

Could you send me a reminder?

Meaning: Could you send me a reminder?

When to use: Ask to receive a text, call, or app notification before the appointment.

我有点忙，麻烦可以给我发个提醒吗？

Wǒ yǒu diǎn máng, máfan kěyǐ gěi wǒ fā ge tíxǐng ma?

I'm a bit busy — could you send me a reminder?

请在预约前一天给我发个提醒，可以吗？

Qǐng zài yùyuē qián yì tiān gěi wǒ fā ge tíxǐng, kěyǐ ma?

Please send me a reminder one day before the appointment — is that possible?

我稍微晚一点到可以吗？

Wǒ shāowēi wǎn yìdiǎn dào kěyǐ ma?

Is it okay if I'm a little late?

Meaning: Is it okay if I'm a little late?

When to use: Use this to warn the office or staff you'll arrive slightly after the scheduled time.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say only “可以吗？” without context — include the timing phrase so staff understand.

路上堵车了，我稍微晚一点到可以吗？

Lù shàng dǔchē le, wǒ shāowēi wǎn yìdiǎn dào kěyǐ ma?

There's traffic — is it okay if I'm a little late?

如果只能约当天，告诉他们：我稍微晚一点到可以吗？

Rúguǒ zhǐ néng yuē dāngtiān, gàosu tāmen: Wǒ shāowēi wǎn yìdiǎn dào kěyǐ ma?

If you can only come that day, tell them: is it okay if I'm a little late?

我想预约

Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē。

I'd like to make an appointment.

Meaning: I'd like to make an appointment.

When to use: Use this to request an appointment when calling or at reception; polite and common.

你好，我想预约。下周三有空吗？

Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yùyuē. Xià zhōu sān yǒu kòng ma?

Hello, I'd like to make an appointment. Are you available next Wednesday?

我想预约体检，请问还有名额吗？

Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē tǐjiǎn, qǐngwèn hái yǒu míng'é ma?

I want to make a check-up appointment — are there still slots?

___有空吗

___ yǒu kòng ma？

Do you have any openings on ___?

Meaning: Do you have any openings on ___?

When to use: Fill the blank with a day or time (e.g., “周三有空吗？”) when asking about available slots.

Tip: Remember to fill the blank with a day/time (e.g., “周三有空吗？”). Leaving the blank out makes the question unclear.

周三有空吗？我想预约周三下午的时间。

Zhōu sān yǒu kòng ma? Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē zhōu sān xiàwǔ de shíjiān.

Do you have any openings on Wednesday? I want to book Wednesday afternoon.

下周一有空吗？最好上午的时间。

Xià zhōu yī yǒu kòng ma? Zuì hǎo shàngwǔ de shíjiān.

Do you have any openings next Monday? Preferably in the morning.

Simplified Chinese - Appointments

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase asks whether there is a cancellation fee?

How would you say 'Could you send me a reminder?'

Which Chinese sentence means 'I'm calling about my appointment'?

To ask 'Do you have any openings on Friday?' which frame do you use?

If you might cancel, you'd ask: 'Is there a cancellation fee?'

If you'll be late, say: 'Is it okay if I'm a little late?'

To confirm who the appointment is with, ask: 'Who is the appointment with?'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice