Apologizing for canceling plans at the last minute | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Before an evening plan, one friend apologizes for canceling late because of a family issue and offers to reschedule..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Apologizing for canceling plans at the last minute to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Je suis vraiment désolé, mais je dois annuler ce qu'on avait prévu ce soir.

zhuh swee vray-MAHN day-zoh-LAY, may zhuh dwah ah-noo-LAY suh kohn ah-VAY pray-VÜ suh SWAHR. I'm really sorry, but I need to cancel tonight's plan.
B

C'est décevant. Est-ce qu'il s'est passé quelque chose d'urgent ?

say day-suh-VAHN. ess-kuh eel say pah-SAY kel-kuh CHOHZ dür-ZHAHN? That's disappointing. Did something urgent happen?
A

Un problème familial est survenu, et je ne peux pas quitter la maison.

uhn proh-BLEM fah-mee-LYAL ay sür-vuh-NÜ, ay zhuh nuh puh pah kee-TAY lah may-ZOHN. A family issue came up, and I can't leave home.
B

Je comprends, mais j'aurais aimé le savoir plus tôt.

zhuh kohn-PRAHN, may zhoh-RAY ay-MAY luh sah-VWAHR plü TOH. I understand, but I wish I had known earlier.
A

Tu as raison. J'aurais dû te le dire dès que je l'ai su.

too ah ray-ZOHN. zhoh-RAY dü tuh luh DEER deh kuh zhuh lay SÜ. You're right. I should have told you as soon as I knew.
B

Merci de le reconnaître. J'avais déjà commencé à me préparer.

mehr-SEE duh luh ruh-koh-NETR. zhah-VAY day-ZHAH koh-mahn-SAY ah muh pray-pah-RAY. I appreciate that. I had already started getting ready.
A

Laisse-moi me rattraper en choisissant une autre date qui te convient.

less-MWAH muh rah-trah-PAY ahn shwah-zee-SAHN ünn OHTR DAHT kuh tuh kohn-VYEN. Let me make it up to you by choosing another date that works for you.
B

On peut remettre ça à une autre date, mais confirme-moi s'il te plaît quand les choses seront plus calmes.

ohn puh ruh-METR sah ah ünn OHTR DAHT, may kohn-FEER-MWAH seel tuh PLAY kahn lay SHOHZ suh-ROHN plü KAHLM. We can reschedule, but please confirm once things are calmer.
A

Je t'enverrai un message quand j'en saurai plus.

zhuh tahn-vuh-RAY uhn may-SAHZH kahn zhahn soh-RAY plü. I'll message you when I know more.
A

Je sais que ce changement de dernière minute a perturbé ta soirée.

zhuh SAY kuh suh shahnzh-MAHN duh dehr-NYEHR mee-NÜT ah pair-tür-BAY tah swah-RAY. I know the late change disrupted your evening.
B

J'espère que tout va bien pour ta famille.

zheh-SPAIR kuh too vah BYEHN poor tah fah-MEE. I hope everything is all right with your family.

Word by Word

Je “Je” means I and is the subject of “Je suis vraiment désolé”. It is commonly placed before the verb when stating what you think, feel, or do.
suis “suis” means am in “Je suis vraiment désolé” and is a form of “être”. The pattern “Je suis + adjective” describes the speaker’s state or feeling.
vraiment “vraiment” means really and strengthens the apology in “Je suis vraiment désolé”. It can be placed before an adjective or another adverb to add emphasis.
désolé “désolé” expresses that the speaker is sorry in “Je suis vraiment désolé”. The expression “Je suis désolé” is used to apologize or show regret.
mais “mais” means but and introduces the reason or difficulty that follows the apology. It commonly links two statements with contrasting information.
dois “dois” means must or need to in “je dois annuler” and is a form of “devoir”. The pattern “devoir + infinitive” expresses necessity.
annuler “annuler” means to cancel in “je dois annuler ce qu'on avait prévu ce soir”. It is used with the plan, appointment, or event being canceled.
ce “ce” points to the thing that was planned in “ce qu'on avait prévu ce soir”. The pattern “ce que + clause” refers to what someone does, says, or plans.
qu'on “qu'on” links “ce” to the clause “qu'on avait prévu” and contains “on”, meaning we in this dialogue. The pattern “ce qu'on + verb” refers to what we do or have planned.
avait “avait” means had in “qu'on avait prévu” and is a form of “avoir”. Together with “prévu”, it presents the plan as already made before the cancellation.
prévu “prévu” means planned in “qu'on avait prévu” and is a form of “prévoir”. The pattern “avoir prévu quelque chose” refers to having planned something.
soir “soir” means evening in the expression “ce soir”, which means tonight here. “Ce soir” is used to refer to the current evening.
C'est “C'est” means that is or it is in “C'est décevant” and contains “est”, a form of “être”. The pattern “C'est + adjective” gives an evaluation or reaction.
décevant “décevant” means disappointing in “C'est décevant”. It describes a situation or result that does not meet someone’s expectations.
Est-ce “Est-ce” begins the question form “Est-ce qu'il s'est passé quelque chose d'urgent ?”. The pattern “Est-ce que + clause” is used to ask a question.
qu'il “qu'il” introduces the clause in “Est-ce qu'il s'est passé quelque chose d'urgent ?” and combines “que” with “il”. It is used here before the expression describing what happened.
s'est “s'est” is part of the expression “s'est passé quelque chose”, meaning something happened. In this form, “est” comes from “être”, while the whole expression describes an event that occurred.
passé “passé” means happened or occurred in “s'est passé quelque chose” and is related to “se passer”. The pattern “il s'est passé quelque chose” asks or states that something happened.
quelque “quelque” contributes the meaning some in “quelque chose”, which means something. The complete expression “quelque chose” refers to an unspecified thing.
chose “chose” means thing in “quelque chose”, the complete expression meaning something. It is used after “quelque” to refer to an unspecified matter or event.
d'urgent “d'urgent” is part of “quelque chose d'urgent” and makes the meaning something urgent. The pattern “quelque chose de + adjective” describes an unspecified thing with an adjective.
Un “Un” means a or one at the beginning of “Un problème familial”. It introduces one nonspecific person, thing, or situation before a noun.
problème “problème” means problem or issue in “Un problème familial est survenu”. It names the family-related difficulty that caused the cancellation.
familial “familial” means family-related and describes “problème” in “Un problème familial”. It can be placed after a noun to specify that the matter concerns family.
est “est” means is in “Un problème familial est survenu” and is a form of “être”. Here it forms part of “est survenu”, describing an event that occurred.
survenu “survenu” means came up or occurred in “Un problème familial est survenu” and is related to “survenir”. It describes an unexpected problem or event that arose.
et “et” means and and joins “Un problème familial est survenu” with the statement about not being able to leave home. It connects related information in one sentence.
ne “ne” is the first part of the negation in “je ne peux pas quitter la maison”. It works together with “pas” around the verb to express not being able to do something.
peux “peux” means can or am able to in “je ne peux pas quitter la maison” and is a form of “pouvoir”. The pattern “pouvoir + infinitive” expresses ability or possibility.
pas “pas” completes the negation in “je ne peux pas quitter la maison”. The pattern “ne + verb + pas” means not doing or not being able to do something.
quitter “quitter” means leave in “quitter la maison”. It is used with the place or person that someone leaves.
la “la” means the before “maison” in “quitter la maison”. It is used before a specific noun in this expression.
maison “maison” means home or house in “quitter la maison”. The expression refers to leaving home.
comprends “comprends” means understand in “Je comprends” and is a form of “comprendre”. The short expression “Je comprends” acknowledges that the speaker understands someone’s situation.
j'aurais “j'aurais” is part of “j'aurais aimé le savoir plus tôt”, expressing a wish or regret about not knowing earlier. It is a form of “avoir” used with “aimé” in this expression.
aimé “aimé” contributes the meaning would have liked in “j'aurais aimé le savoir plus tôt” and is related to “aimer”. The pattern “j'aurais aimé + infinitive” expresses a past wish.
le “le” means it or that in “le savoir”, referring to the information the speaker wished to receive. It comes before the infinitive in this compact expression.
savoir “savoir” means know in “j'aurais aimé le savoir plus tôt”. The pattern “savoir + information” expresses knowing a fact or piece of information.
plus “plus” contributes the meaning more in “plus tôt”, which means earlier. The pattern “plus + time expression” compares timing.
tôt “tôt” means early, and in “plus tôt” it means earlier. The expression refers to receiving information at an earlier time.
Tu “Tu” means you and is the informal singular subject in “Tu as raison”. It is used before the verb when addressing one familiar person.
as “as” means have in “Tu as raison” and is a form of “avoir”. In the fixed expression “avoir raison”, it means to be right.
raison “raison” means right in “Tu as raison”, the complete expression meaning you are right. The expression “avoir raison” is used to agree that someone’s judgment is correct.
dû “dû” means should have or had to in “J'aurais dû te le dire” and is related to “devoir”. The pattern “j'aurais dû + infinitive” expresses something the speaker ought to have done.
te “te” refers to you as the person who should have been told in “te le dire”. The pattern “te le dire” means to tell it to you.
dire “dire” means tell or say in “te le dire”, meaning to tell it to you. It is used with the information being said and the person receiving it.
dès “dès” means as soon as when used in “dès que”. It introduces the point in time when the speaker found out.
que “que” completes the time expression “dès que”, meaning as soon as. The pattern “dès que + clause” connects an action to the moment another event happens.
l'ai “l'ai” is part of “je l'ai su”, meaning I found that out or I knew it. It contains the object pronoun “l'” and “ai”, a form of “avoir”, before “su”.
su “su” means known or found out in “je l'ai su” and is related to “savoir”. The expression “je l'ai su” refers to learning or knowing the information mentioned earlier.
Merci “Merci” means thanks in “Merci de le reconnaître”. It expresses gratitude, followed here by the reason for thanking someone.
de “de” introduces the infinitive in “Merci de le reconnaître”. The pattern “Merci de + infinitive” thanks someone for doing or acknowledging something.
reconnaître “reconnaître” means acknowledge in “Merci de le reconnaître”. It refers to accepting or admitting the point that the other person has made.
J'avais “J'avais” means I had in “J'avais déjà commencé à me préparer” and is a form of “avoir”. It presents the preparation as already in progress before the cancellation.
déjà “déjà” means already in “J'avais déjà commencé à me préparer”. It shows that the preparation had begun before the speaker received the cancellation.
commencé “commencé” means started in “J'avais déjà commencé à me préparer” and is related to “commencer”. The pattern “commencer à + infinitive” describes beginning an action.
à “à” introduces the infinitive in “commencé à me préparer”. The pattern “commencer à + infinitive” means to start doing something.
me “me” refers back to the speaker in “me préparer”, meaning to get myself ready. It is placed before the infinitive in this reflexive expression.
préparer “préparer” means prepare in “me préparer”, which means get myself ready. The expression “commencer à me préparer” describes beginning personal preparation.
Laisse-moi “Laisse-moi” means let me and introduces the speaker’s offer in “Laisse-moi me rattraper”. The pattern “Laisse-moi + infinitive” asks to be allowed to do something.
rattraper “rattraper” contributes the idea of making up for the problem in “Laisse-moi me rattraper”. The complete expression is used when someone offers to repair the effect of a mistake or inconvenience.
en “en” means by or while doing in “en choisissant une autre date”. The pattern “en + present participle” explains how an action is carried out.
choisissant “choisissant” means choosing in “en choisissant une autre date”. It describes the action offered as a way to make amends.
une “une” means a or one before “date” in “une autre date”. It introduces one nonspecific alternative.
autre “autre” means another or other in “une autre date”. It marks the date as different from the original one.
date “date” means date in “une autre date”. It refers to the alternative day or time being chosen for the plan.
qui “qui” means that or which in “une autre date qui te convient”. It links “date” to the clause describing whether it works for the other person.
convient “convient” means suits or works for in “qui te convient” and is a form of “convenir”. The pattern “convenir à quelqu'un” describes something that suits a person.
On “On” means we in “On peut remettre ça à une autre date”, referring to both people. It is commonly used as the subject when speaking about a group that includes the speaker.
peut “peut” means can in “On peut remettre ça” and is a form of “pouvoir”. The pattern “pouvoir + infinitive” expresses an available option or possibility.
remettre “remettre” means reschedule in “remettre ça à une autre date”. The complete pattern “remettre ça à une autre date” refers to moving the previously discussed plan to another date.
ça “ça” means it or that in “remettre ça à une autre date”, referring to the plan already mentioned. It is commonly used for a situation, activity, or object understood from the context.
confirme-moi “confirme-moi” means confirm to me in “confirme-moi s'il te plaît”. It is an instruction addressed directly to one person, asking that person to provide confirmation.
s'il te plaît “s'il te plaît” means please and makes “confirme-moi” polite. In this expression, “s'il” introduces the condition, “te” refers to the person being addressed, and “plaît” means pleases; together they form the polite request.
quand “quand” means when in “quand les choses seront plus calmes” and “quand j'en saurai plus”. It introduces a clause that specifies the time for another action.
les “les” means the before “choses” in “les choses seront plus calmes”. It refers to the specific circumstances being discussed.
seront “seront” means will be in “les choses seront plus calmes” and is a form of “être”. It describes a future state that will allow the person to confirm.
calmes “calmes” means calm in “les choses seront plus calmes”. Together with “seront”, it describes the circumstances becoming less stressful or unsettled.
t'enverrai “t'enverrai” means I will send you in “Je t'enverrai un message” and is a future form related to “envoyer”. The pattern “Je t'enverrai + object” states what the speaker will send to the other person.
message “message” means message in “Je t'enverrai un message”. It is the thing being sent to the other person.
j'en “j'en” is part of “j'en saurai plus”, meaning I will know more about it. Here “en” refers back to the situation being discussed.
saurai “saurai” means will know in “j'en saurai plus” and is a future form of “savoir”. The expression “en savoir plus” means to learn or know more about a situation.
sais “sais” means know in “Je sais que ce changement...” and is a form of “savoir”. The pattern “Je sais que + clause” states that the speaker knows a fact.
changement “changement” means change in “ce changement de dernière minute”. It refers to the late alteration to the evening plan.
dernière “dernière” means last or latest in “de dernière minute” and is the form related to “dernier” used with “minute”. The complete expression “de dernière minute” describes something changed or decided very late.
minute “minute” means minute in “de dernière minute”. Together with “dernière”, it forms the expression “de dernière minute”, meaning at the last moment.
a “a” means has in “a perturbé” and is a form of “avoir”. It works with “perturbé” to describe the effect of the late change.
perturbé “perturbé” means disrupted in “a perturbé ta soirée” and is related to “perturber”. The pattern “perturber + object” describes disturbing or upsetting a situation or period of time.
ta “ta” means your and refers informally to the person addressed in “ta soirée”. It is placed before the noun it describes.
soirée “soirée” means evening in “ta soirée”, referring to the other person’s evening as a period of plans or activities. The phrase describes how the late change affected that evening.
J'espère “J'espère” means I hope in “J'espère que tout va bien” and is related to “espérer”. The pattern “J'espère que + clause” introduces something the speaker hopes is true.
tout “tout” means everything in “tout va bien”. The complete expression refers broadly to the family’s situation.
va “va” means is or goes in the fixed expression “tout va bien” and is a form of “aller”. Here “tout va bien” means that everything is all right.
bien “bien” means well or all right in “tout va bien”. Together with “va”, it forms the expression used to ask or state whether a situation is fine.
pour “pour” means for or concerning in “pour ta famille”. The pattern “aller bien pour + person” asks or states whether things are all right for someone.
famille “famille” means family in “pour ta famille”. It identifies the people whose situation the speaker is concerned about.

Grammar Points

Passé composé avec être

Un problème familial est survenu.

uhn proh-BLEM fah-mee-LYAL ay sür-vuh-NÜ.

A family-related problem arose.

Survenir se conjugue avec être au passé composé : est survenu.

Futur simple

J'en saurai plus et t'enverrai un message.

zhahn soh-RAY plü ay tahn-vuh-RAY uhn may-SAHZH.

I’ll know more and send you a message.

Le futur simple apparaît dans saurai et enverrai pour parler d’actions à venir.

French Vocabulary

annuler verb
ah-noo-LAY to cancel
ce soir phrase
suh SWAHR tonight
comprendre verb
kohn-PRAHNDR to understand comprends
décevant adj
day-suh-VAHN disappointing
désolé adj
day-zoh-LAY sorry
familial adj
fah-mee-LYAL family-related
problème noun
proh-BLEM problem, issue
quitter verb
kee-TAY to leave
se passer verb
suh pah-SAY to happen s'est passé
survenir verb
sür-vuh-NEER to arise, to occur est survenu
urgent adj
ür-ZHAHN urgent
vraiment adv
vray-MAHN really

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

sorry

Show Answerdésolé

problem, issue

Show Answerproblème

really

Show Answervraiment

disappointing

Show Answerdécevant