Simplified Chinese - Cancelling Plans

不好意思，我去不了了。

Bù hǎo yìsi, wǒ qù bù liǎo le.

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

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

When to use: Use this polite phrase to cancel an appointment or plan you previously agreed to. It's more courteous than simply saying 我去不了.

Tip: Beginners sometimes drop 了 (le) and say 我去不了, which is okay but less polite; include 不好意思 for courtesy.

我得取消我们的计划了。

Wǒ děi qǔxiāo wǒmen de jìhuà le.

I have to cancel our plans.

Meaning: I have to cancel our plans.

When to use: Say this to state directly that you must cancel an arrangement; for close friends you can say 咱们的计划 instead of 我们的计划.

我临时有点事

Wǒ línshí yǒu diǎn shì.

Something came up.

Meaning: Something came up.

When to use: Use this neutral, brief phrase to explain a last-minute change without giving details.

我身体不太舒服。

Wǒ shēntǐ bú tài shūfu.

I'm not feeling well.

Meaning: I'm not feeling well.

When to use: Use this neutral phrase when you need to cancel or excuse yourself for health reasons.

我们能改个时间吗？

Wǒmen néng gǎi ge shíjiān ma?

Can we reschedule?

Meaning: Can we reschedule?

When to use: Use this common spoken question to ask if the other person is open to arranging the plan for another time; add 麻烦 for extra politeness.

我们能改到___吗？

Wǒmen néng gǎi dào ___ ma?

Can we move it to ___?

Meaning: Can we move it to ___?

When to use: Use this to suggest a specific new time or date; fill the blank with the new day or time (e.g., 周六, 明天晚上八点).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 改成 instead of 改到; both can work, but 改到 + specific time is very natural for scheduling.

___你还方便吗？

___ nǐ hái fāngbiàn ma?

Does ___ still work for you?

Meaning: Does ___ still work for you?

When to use: Use this to check if the original or proposed time is still convenient for the other person; put the time or day where the blank is.

Tip: Beginners may forget to put the time before 你还方便吗; remember the blank is where the time or day goes.

我们改天再约吧。

Wǒmen gǎi tiān zài yuē ba.

Let's do it another time.

Meaning: Let's do it another time.

When to use: Use this to postpone plans without setting a specific new date — friendly and non-committal.

不好意思，这么临时通知你。

Bù hǎo yìsi, zhème línshí tōngzhī nǐ.

Sorry for the short notice.

Meaning: Sorry for the short notice.

When to use: Use this polite apology when you cancel or change plans at the last minute. For more formality, use 抱歉，这么临时通知您。

谢谢你理解

Xièxie nǐ lǐjiě.

Thanks for understanding.

Meaning: Thanks for understanding.

When to use: Use this polite phrase after someone accepts your cancellation or change to show appreciation. For extra politeness say 谢谢您的理解。

我需要改一下___。

Wǒ xūyào gǎi yíxià ___.

I need to change the ___.

Meaning: I need to change the ___.

When to use: Use this to say one part of a plan needs adjustment (time, place, item). Fill the blank with 时间, 地点, 预约, etc.

我们晚点见可以吗？

Wǒmen wǎndiǎn jiàn kěyǐ ma?

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 you can push the meeting to a later time.

那个时间我不方便。

Nàge shíjiān wǒ bù fāngbiàn.

I'm not available then.

Meaning: I'm not available then.

When to use: Use this neutral sentence to say a suggested time doesn't suit you.