Simplified Chinese - Cancelling Plans

哪天你最方便

Nǎ tiān nǐ zuì fāngbiàn?

What day works best for you?

Meaning: What day works best for you?

When to use: Use this to ask the other person to pick a day that fits their schedule.

Tip: Don’t confuse this with “什么时候方便？” — 哪天 focuses on a specific day choice.

___会不会更合适？

___ huì bu huì gèng héshì?

Would ___ be better?

Meaning: Would ___ be better?

When to use: Use this frame to propose a possibly better time, place, or arrangement.

那时候我有别的安排。

Nà shíhou wǒ yǒu bié de ānpái.

I have another appointment then.

Meaning: I have another appointment then.

When to use: Say this to briefly explain you cannot make that time because you already have plans.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say a long excuse; short is clearer and polite.

我可能会晚一点到。

Wǒ kěnéng huì wǎn yìdiǎn dào.

I may be a little late.

Meaning: I may be a little late.

When to use: Use this to warn the other person you'll possibly arrive later than planned.

请别等我了

Qǐng bié děng wǒ le.

Please don't wait for me.

Meaning: Please don't wait for me.

When to use: Tell the other person they don't need to wait for you when plans change or you're running late.

Tip: Sometimes learners drop 请; adding 请 sounds more polite in unfamiliar situations.

我尽快告诉你

Wǒ jǐnkuài gàosu nǐ.

I'll let you know soon.

Meaning: I'll let you know soon.

When to use: Use this to promise you'll update the other person as soon as you have news.

今天我不方便了。

Jīntiān wǒ bù fāngbiàn le.

Today doesn't work for me anymore.

Meaning: Today doesn't work for me anymore.

When to use: Say this when a plan that was possible earlier now no longer works for you.

能往后推一点吗？

Néng wǎng hòu tuī yìdiǎn ma?

Can we push it back a little?

Meaning: Can we push it back a little?

When to use: Use this to ask if a meeting or appointment can be delayed by a short amount.

我把时间记错了。

Wǒ bǎ shíjiān jì cuò le.

I got the time wrong.

Meaning: I got the time wrong.

When to use: Use this to explain you misremembered or misread the scheduled time.