German for Changing Plans: Rescheduling and Apologizing Politely
Learn beginner German phrases to cancel or move an appointment: apologize, explain that something came up, and suggest a new day like Sunday.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Making a plan is one skill; changing one is another. In this lesson you will learn how to apologize in German, say that something came up, and suggest a new time. The key verb is verschieben (to postpone). You will also learn the difference between absagen (to cancel) and verschieben (to move to a later time), and how to use a polite question with können to propose Sunday instead.
By the end, you can…
- apologize for a change of plans in German.
- say that something came up.
- suggest a new day or time with a polite question.
- accept or confirm a new appointment.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Können wir es auf Sonntag verschieben?
Can we push it to Sunday?
KUH-nen veer es owf ZON-tahk fair-SHEE-ben
Polite suggestion to move an appointment to Sunday. Use es for the appointment or meeting.
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
Something came up.
meer ist ET-vas da-TSVISH-en-ge-kom-en
Standard apology for an unexpected event. Literally: something came in between.
Tut mir leid, ich kann am Samstag nicht.
I'm sorry, I can't on Saturday.
toot meer lyt, ish kan am ZAM-stahk nisht
A short, natural apology. Tut mir leid is the standard way to say I'm sorry.
Geht es bei dir am Sonntag?
Does Sunday work for you?
gayt es by deer am ZON-tahk
Friendly question to check the other person's availability. Geht es bei dir? means Is it possible for you?
Sonntag passt mir gut.
Sunday works well for me.
ZON-tahk past meer goot
A simple confirmation. Passen means to suit or to work for someone.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To suggest a new time, use Können wir ... ? plus auf plus the day: Können wir es auf Sonntag verschieben? You can replace Sonntag with Montag, Dienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag or Samstag. To name a time, use um: Können wir es auf Sonntag um drei verschieben? The verb verschieben means to postpone or move to another time. If you want to cancel completely, use absagen: Ich muss den Termin leider absagen.
When to use it
Use Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen when a real, unexpected event stops you. It is neutral and works with friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Add leider (unfortunately) to sound more apologetic: Leider ist mir etwas dazwischengekommen. If you simply cannot come, Tut mir leid, ich kann am Samstag nicht is enough. Then offer a new time: Können wir es auf Sonntag verschieben? In Austria and southern Germany you may hear Passt es dir am Sonntag? instead of Geht es bei dir am Sonntag? Both are standard and polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hallo Ben, tut mir leid, aber mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
Hi Ben, I'm sorry, but something came up.hah-LOH ben, toot meer lyt, ow-ber meer ist ET-vas da-TSVISH-en-ge-kom-enKein Problem. Was machen wir jetzt?
No problem. What do we do now?kyn pro-BLAYM. vas MA-khen veer yetstKönnen wir es auf Sonntag verschieben?
Can we push it to Sunday?KUH-nen veer es owf ZON-tahk fair-SHEE-benJa, Sonntag passt mir gut. Um drei?
Yes, Sunday works well for me. At three?yah, ZON-tahk past meer goot. um dryA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, punctuality matters, so canceling late can seem rude. A short apology plus a concrete new suggestion is usually enough. Tut mir leid is standard in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; in Switzerland you may also hear Es tut mir leid. Use Sie with strangers, older people and in formal work settings: Können wir es auf Sonntag verschieben? works for both du and Sie because the subject is wir.
One thing to watch for
Ich habe etwas gekommen.
Try this instead: This is not German. Say Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen. The event happens to you, so German uses the dative mir, not ich habe. Example: Leider ist mir etwas dazwischengekommen.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'Something came up' in German?
Show a sample answer
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
This fixed expression uses the dative mir. Leider ist mir etwas dazwischengekommen is also correct and sounds more apologetic.
2Translate: 'Can we push it to Sunday?'
Show a sample answer
Können wir es auf Sonntag verschieben?
Können wir ... ? makes a polite suggestion, es refers to the appointment, and auf Sonntag names the new day. Könnten wir es auf Sonntag verschieben? is also correct and slightly more polite.
3Someone says Sonntag passt mir gut. What did they mean?
Show a sample answer
Sunday works well for me.
Passen means to suit or to work for someone. Mir is dative. Das passt mir gut is a common alternative.
To change plans in German, apologize with Tut mir leid, explain with Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen, and suggest a new time with Können wir es auf ... verschieben?
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