Make plans in Chinese
Learn to invite someone in Mandarin, suggest a time, accept or politely decline, and agree on a plan. Includes key phrases, a model dialogue, and practice.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to invite someone in Mandarin Chinese, suggest a time, accept or politely decline, and agree on a plan. The focus is on elementary-level conversation. You will practice key phrases such as 一起 (yìqǐ, together), 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng, how about), and 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, sorry). Politeness is important in Chinese; declining often includes a reason and an alternative. By the end, you will be able to handle a simple social invitation from start to finish.
By the end, you can…
- invite someone to do an activity in Mandarin.
- suggest a time and ask if it works.
- accept an invitation or politely decline with a reason.
- agree on a final plan.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个周末你有空吗？
Are you free this weekend?
Zhège zhōumò nǐ yǒu kòng ma?
Use to check availability before inviting. 有空 (yǒu kòng) means 'to have free time'.
我们一起吃饭，怎么样？
Let's eat together, how about it?
Wǒmen yìqǐ chīfàn, zěnmeyàng?
A friendly suggestion. 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) asks for agreement.
星期六下午三点，好吗？
Saturday at 3 p.m., is that okay?
Xīngqīliù xiàwǔ sān diǎn, hǎo ma?
Suggest a specific time. 好吗 (hǎo ma) asks for confirmation.
好的，没问题。
Okay, no problem.
Hǎo de, méi wèntí.
A simple acceptance. 没问题 (méi wèntí) means 'no problem'.
对不起，我有事。
Sorry, I have something to do.
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì.
A polite decline. 有事 (yǒu shì) means 'to have things to do'.
我们改天吧。
Let's do it another day.
Wǒmen gǎitiān ba.
Use to postpone. 改天 (gǎitiān) means 'another day'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To invite someone, use 我们一起 + activity + 怎么样？ (Wǒmen yìqǐ + activity + zěnmeyàng?). For example, 我们一起看电影，怎么样？ (Wǒmen yìqǐ kàn diànyǐng, zěnmeyàng? — Let's watch a movie together, how about it?). To suggest a time, say 时间 + 好吗？ (time + hǎo ma?). For example, 星期天上午十点，好吗？ (Xīngqītiān shàngwǔ shí diǎn, hǎo ma? — Sunday at 10 a.m., is that okay?). To accept, say 好的，没问题。 (Hǎo de, méi wèntí. — Okay, no problem.). To decline politely, say 对不起，我有事。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì. — Sorry, I have something to do.) and then suggest 改天吧。 (Gǎitiān ba. — Let's do it another day.).
When to use it
Use these phrases in casual social situations with friends, classmates, or colleagues. 你有空吗？ (Nǐ yǒu kòng ma? — Are you free?) is a polite way to start. When suggesting a time, be specific but flexible: 三点怎么样？ (Sān diǎn zěnmeyàng? — How about 3 o'clock?). If you need to decline, always give a brief reason and offer an alternative: 对不起，我有事。我们改天吧。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì. Wǒmen gǎitiān ba. — Sorry, I have something to do. Let's do it another day.). This shows respect and keeps the relationship positive.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个周末你有空吗？
Are you free this weekend?Zhège zhōumò nǐ yǒu kòng ma?有空。怎么了？
I'm free. What's up?Yǒu kòng. Zěnme le?我们一起吃饭，怎么样？
Let's eat together, how about it?Wǒmen yìqǐ chīfàn, zěnmeyàng?好啊！什么时候？
Sure! When?Hǎo a! Shénme shíhou?星期六下午三点，好吗？
Saturday at 3 p.m., is that okay?Xīngqīliù xiàwǔ sān diǎn, hǎo ma?对不起，我有事。我们改天吧。
Sorry, I have something to do. Let's do it another day.Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì. Wǒmen gǎitiān ba.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, declining an invitation often includes a reason and a suggestion to meet another time, to show that you value the relationship. Directly saying 'no' without explanation can seem abrupt. Using 改天吧 (gǎitiān ba) softens the refusal and keeps the door open. Also, when accepting, it's common to confirm the time and place to avoid misunderstandings.
One thing to watch for
Saying 不 (bù) alone to decline an invitation.
Try this instead: Use a polite phrase like 对不起，我有事。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì. — Sorry, I have something to do.) and add 我们改天吧。 (Wǒmen gǎitiān ba. — Let's do it another day.). This is more appropriate and maintains goodwill.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you invite someone to watch a movie together?
Show a sample answer
我们一起看电影，怎么样？
This uses the pattern 我们一起 + activity + 怎么样？ to make a suggestion. Other activities can be substituted, such as 喝茶 (hē chá, drink tea).
2How do you suggest Saturday at 2 p.m.?
Show a sample answer
星期六下午两点，好吗？
This uses time + 好吗？ to ask for confirmation. You can change the time as needed.
3How do you politely decline because you have something to do?
Show a sample answer
对不起，我有事。我们改天吧。
This includes an apology, a reason, and an alternative. You can also say 对不起，我有事，不能去。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yǒu shì, bù néng qù. — Sorry, I have something to do, I can't go.)
Remember to invite with 我们一起...怎么样？, suggest a time with ...好吗？, accept with 好的，没问题, and decline politely with 对不起，我有事。我们改天吧。
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