In this workshop you will practice a short, polite conversation about changing a plan. You will open the topic, give a brief reason, suggest a new day, and respond when someone else needs to reschedule. Each native line is shown with a recording reference. Read the English explanation first, then listen and repeat. Recordings are available for the listed native lines, so use them as models. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Opening the topic and giving a reason
Start with a polite opening. «すみません、予定を変更したいのですが。» means that you would like to change the plan. The final particle softens the request and invites the other person to respond. Next, give a short reason. «急用ができてしまって。» means that something urgent came up. The ending adds a feeling of regret and inconvenience, so it sounds apologetic rather than casual. In a longer version, a speaker can combine an apology with the reason: «すみません、急用ができてしまって。» means sorry, something urgent came up. When you hear this from someone else, a natural reply is «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。», which means oh, I see, are you okay? This shows concern before you talk about the new schedule.
Suggesting a new day
After the reason, suggest a new day. «日曜日に延ばせますか。» is a direct but polite yes-or-no question meaning can we push it to Sunday. Use this verb when you want to move a plan to a later date. A softer option is «日曜日はどうでしょうか。», which means how about Sunday. This sounds less like pressure and is useful when you are not sure about the other person's schedule. You can also combine an apology with the suggestion: «ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。日曜日に延ばせますか。» means I am sorry for the trouble, can we push it to Sunday. When someone suggests a new day to you, confirm it clearly. «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。» means Sunday, right? Understood, that is fine. Repeating the day shows you understood, and the final phrase accepts the new plan.
Responding when someone else changes plans
When the other person changes plans, first show that you heard the reason. «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。» works well here: it means oh, I see, are you okay? Then listen for the new day. If the speaker asks «日曜日に延ばせますか。», you can accept with a clear confirmation like «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。». If the speaker suggests «日曜日はどうでしょうか。», you can still confirm the day and accept in the same way. Keep your reply short and calm. Repeating the day back is a simple way to check that you understood correctly. If you need time, you can say you will check, but in this practice focus on the recorded lines so your answers stay close to the model.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、予定を変更したいのですが。
Excuse me, I would like to change our plan.
Sumimasen, yotei o henkō shitai no desu ga.
急用ができてしまって。
Something urgent came up.
Kyūyō ga dekite shimatte.
日曜日に延ばせますか。
Can we push it to Sunday?
Nichiyōbi ni nobasemasu ka.
日曜日はどうでしょうか。
How about Sunday?
Nichiyōbi wa dō deshō ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、急用ができてしまって。
Sorry, something urgent came up.あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。
Oh, I see. Are you okay?ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。日曜日に延ばせますか。
I am sorry for the trouble. Can we push it to Sunday?日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。
Sunday, right? Understood, that is fine.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: change the plan
Imagine a friend or coworker agreed to meet you, but you need to move the plan to Sunday. You will play the person who changes the plan. Use the recordings as your model.
Your task: Say the polite opening from «すみません、予定を変更したいのですが。». Then give the short reason from «急用ができてしまって。». Finally, suggest Sunday with the softer question from «日曜日はどうでしょうか。». Say all three lines in order without looking at the English.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
Imagine someone says the line from «すみません、急用ができてしまって。» to you. You need to choose a reply that shows concern and then confirm a new day.
Your task: Listen to «すみません、急用ができてしまって。». Which recorded reply shows concern? Choose «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。» or «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。». Then imagine the same speaker asks «日曜日に延ばせますか。». Which recorded reply accepts the new day? Choose «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。» or «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。». Say both chosen lines aloud.
Recall with correct roles
Imagine a short scene with two roles. Person A needs to change the plan. Person B listens and accepts. You will say both roles from memory.
Your task: First play Person A. Say the apology and reason from «すみません、急用ができてしまって。», then the apology and suggestion from «ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。日曜日に延ばせますか。». Then play Person B. Say the concern from «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。», then the acceptance from «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。». Try to say each line without reading.
Common questions
What is the difference between the two ways of suggesting Sunday?
«日曜日に延ばせますか。» is a direct yes-or-no question meaning can we push it to Sunday. «日曜日はどうでしょうか。» is softer and means how about Sunday. Both are polite, but «日曜日はどうでしょうか。» gives the other person more room to disagree.
How do I respond when someone changes plans with me?
First show that you heard the reason. «あ、そうなんですね。大丈夫ですか。» means oh, I see, are you okay? Then confirm the new day clearly. «日曜日ですね。わかりました、大丈夫です。» means Sunday, right? Understood, that is fine. Repeating the day helps you check that you understood.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: reschedule meetupChecked September 2026
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