German for Beginners: Accept or Decline Invitations Politely
Learn to accept and decline invitations in German with formal and informal phrases, soften refusals, and give polite explanations.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to respond when someone invites you to something in German. You will practice accepting with pleasure, declining politely, and giving a short reason. You will also learn the difference between formal (Sie) and informal (du) situations. By the end, you can choose a phrase that fits the person and the situation, and you can soften a refusal so it sounds friendly, not rude. This lesson does not teach how to extend invitations; it focuses only on replying to them.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation in formal and informal German.
- decline an invitation politely and give a simple reason.
- soften a refusal with expressions like leider and es tut mir leid.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ja, gerne!
Yes, gladly! / Yes, I'd love to!
yah, GEHR-nuh
Informal and friendly. Use with friends, family, or people you address with du. It accepts the invitation directly and warmly.
Ja, sehr gerne.
Yes, very gladly. / Yes, I'd love to.
yah, zair GEHR-nuh
Works in both informal and formal situations. Sehr gerne sounds especially polite and appreciative.
Das klingt gut, ich komme mit.
That sounds good, I'll come along.
dahs klingt goot, ikh KOM-muh mit
A natural acceptance when the invitation is for an activity or a group event. Use with friends or colleagues you know well.
Leider kann ich nicht. Es tut mir leid.
Unfortunately I can't. I'm sorry.
LY-duh kahn ikh nikht. es toot meer lyt
A clear, polite refusal. Leider softens the message, and Es tut mir leid adds an apology. Suitable in most situations.
Vielen Dank für die Einladung, aber ich habe schon etwas vor.
Thank you very much for the invitation, but I already have plans.
FEE-luhn dahnk fewr dee YN-lah-doong, AH-buh ikh HAH-buh shohn ET-vahs fohr
Formal and polite. Use with acquaintances, older people, or in professional contexts. It thanks the person and gives a reason without over-explaining.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept, start with Ja and add gerne: Ja, gerne! or Ja, sehr gerne. To decline, start with Leider: Leider kann ich nicht. You can also thank the person first: Danke für die Einladung, aber... This pattern keeps your reply polite. For formal situations, use the Sie-form: Können Sie am Samstag? – Leider kann ich nicht. For informal situations, use the du-form: Kannst du am Samstag? – Leider kann ich nicht. The phrase leider means 'unfortunately' and is one of the most useful softeners in German refusals.
When to use it
Use Ja, gerne with friends and people you call du. Use Ja, sehr gerne with colleagues, neighbors, or people you do not know well. Use Leider kann ich nicht when you must say no; add Es tut mir leid to apologize. If you want to give a reason, keep it short: Ich habe schon etwas vor ('I already have plans') or Ich muss arbeiten ('I have to work'). In formal contexts, thank the person first: Vielen Dank für die Einladung, aber leider kann ich nicht. Avoid a long excuse; a short, friendly reason is enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hast du am Freitag Zeit? Wir gehen ins Kino.
Do you have time on Friday? We're going to the cinema.hahst doo ahm FRY-tahk tsyt? veer GAY-uhn ins KEE-nohJa, gerne! Wann treffen wir uns?
Yes, gladly! When shall we meet?yah, GEHR-nuh! vahn TREF-uhn veer oonsUm sieben am Kino. Passt das?
At seven at the cinema. Does that work?oom ZEE-buhn ahm KEE-noh. pahst dahsJa, das passt. Bis Freitag!
Yes, that works. See you Friday!yah, dahs pahst. bis FRY-tahkA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, politeness often comes from clarity and a short, honest reason rather than from many soft words. A simple Leider kann ich nicht is not rude; it is direct and normal. With friends, use du and phrases like Ja, gerne. With strangers, older people, or in professional settings, use Sie and thank the person first: Vielen Dank für die Einladung, aber leider kann ich nicht. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear Servus as a greeting, but it does not change the polite refusal patterns taught here.
One thing to watch for
Using Nein, ich will nicht to decline an invitation.
Try this instead: Nein, ich will nicht sounds harsh and can mean 'No, I don't want to.' Use Leider kann ich nicht instead. For example: Leider kann ich nicht, ich habe schon etwas vor. Add Es tut mir leid if you want to apologize: Leider kann ich nicht. Es tut mir leid.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A colleague you address with Sie invites you to a meeting, but you cannot come. What is a polite refusal?
Show a sample answer
Vielen Dank für die Einladung, aber leider kann ich nicht.
This thanks the person, uses leider to soften the refusal, and stays formal with Sie. You could also add Es tut mir leid for extra politeness.
2Your friend asks: Kommst du mit ins Café? Accept informally.
Show a sample answer
Ja, gerne!
Ja, gerne is a natural, friendly acceptance for a du-situation. Ja, sehr gerne would also work and sounds a little more enthusiastic.
3You must decline a friend's invitation and give a short reason. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Leider kann ich nicht, ich muss arbeiten.
Leider kann ich nicht is polite, and ich muss arbeiten gives a clear, short reason. Other valid reasons include Ich habe schon etwas vor or Ich bin schon verabredet.
Accept with Ja, gerne or Ja, sehr gerne. Decline with Leider kann ich nicht and add Es tut mir leid if needed. Match du or Sie to the situation, and keep your reason short and friendly.
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