Spanish Speaking Workshop: Invite, Accept, Decline, and Reschedule

Invite and accept

Start with a polite invitation. The line «¿Te gustaría...?» means "Would you like...?" and it is a friendly way to ask someone to do something. You can use it with an action word, for example to invite someone to have a coffee. A full invitation from the recordings is «¿Te gustaría ir a tomar un café conmigo?», which means "Would you like to go have a coffee with me?" A warm acceptance is «Me encantaría.», meaning "I would love to." When someone accepts, they may also ask for the time. The recorded reply «Me encantaría. ¿A qué hora?» means "I would love to. At what time?" Notice that the acceptance comes first, then a simple question. Practice saying the invitation and the acceptance slowly, then a little faster. Keep your voice friendly and calm.

Suggest a time and decline politely

To suggest a time, use the line «¿Qué tal si...?», which means "How about if...?" or "What if...?" It introduces a plan. A recorded example is «¿Qué tal si nos vemos a las cinco?», meaning "How about we meet at five?" If you cannot accept, use «Lo siento, no puedo.», which means "I'm sorry, I can't." It is polite and direct. You can add a reason to soften it. The recorded line «Lo siento, no puedo a las cinco. Tengo una reunión.» means "I'm sorry, I can't at five. I have a meeting." After a decline, it is common to suggest another time. The line «No hay problema. ¿Qué tal a las seis y media?» means "No problem. How about at six thirty?" This keeps the conversation positive. Finally, «Perfecto. Nos vemos a las seis y media.» means "Perfect. See you at six thirty." It confirms the new plan. Practice the decline and the new suggestion together, then switch roles.

Understand the reply and choose your next line

In a real conversation, you need to understand what the other person says before you answer. Listen to «Me encantaría. ¿A qué hora?» again. It means "I would love to. At what time?" This tells you the person accepts and wants a time. Now listen to «Lo siento, no puedo a las cinco. Tengo una reunión.». It means "I'm sorry, I can't at five. I have a meeting." This tells you the person declines and gives a reason. Your next line should offer a different time, like «No hay problema. ¿Qué tal a las seis y media?», which means "No problem. How about at six thirty?" If the person accepts, you can confirm with «Perfecto. Nos vemos a las seis y media.», meaning "Perfect. See you at six thirty." Pay attention to polite words like "Lo siento" and "No hay problema." They keep the conversation friendly even when plans change.

Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.

Checking available voices…

Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.

Common questions