About This Lesson
Use Apologizing for Canceling Plans Late to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
真的很抱歉，但我得取消今晚的计划。
Zhēn de hěn bàoqiàn, dàn wǒ děi qǔxiāo jīnwǎn de jìhuà. I'm really sorry, but I need to cancel tonight's plan.
B
真让人失望。发生什么急事了吗？
Zhēn ràng rén shīwàng. Fāshēng shénme jíshì le ma? That's disappointing. Did something urgent happen?
A
家里出了点事，我不能离开家。
Jiālǐ chū le diǎn shì, wǒ bù néng líkāi jiā. A family issue came up, and I can't leave home.
B
我理解，但我真希望能早点知道。
Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn wǒ zhēn xīwàng néng zǎodiǎn zhīdào. I understand, but I wish I had known earlier.
A
你说得对。我一知道就应该告诉你。
Nǐ shuō de duì. Wǒ yì zhīdào jiù yīnggāi gàosu nǐ. You're right. I should have told you as soon as I knew.
B
我很感谢你这么说。我已经开始准备了。
Wǒ hěn gǎnxiè nǐ zhème shuō. Wǒ yǐjīng kāishǐ zhǔnbèi le. I appreciate that. I had already started getting ready.
A
让我选一个适合你的日期，好弥补这次临时取消给你带来的不便。
Ràng wǒ xuǎn yí ge shìhé nǐ de rìqī, hǎo míbǔ zhè cì línshí qǔxiāo gěi nǐ dài lái de búbiàn. Let me make it up to you by choosing another date that works for you.
B
我们可以改天安排，但等事情缓和一些后，请再确认一下。
Wǒmen kěyǐ gǎitiān ānpái, dàn děng shìqing huǎnhé yìxiē hòu, qǐng zài quèrèn yíxià. We can reschedule, but please confirm once things are calmer.
A
等我知道更多情况后，我会给你发消息。
Děng wǒ zhīdào gèng duō qíngkuàng hòu, wǒ huì gěi nǐ fā xiāoxi. I'll message you when I know more.
A
我知道这么晚改计划打乱了你的晚上安排。
Wǒ zhīdào zhème wǎn gǎi jìhuà dǎluàn le nǐ de wǎnshang ānpái. I know the late change disrupted your evening.
B
希望你家里一切都好。
Xīwàng nǐ jiālǐ yíqiè dōu hǎo. I hope everything is all right with your family.Word by Word
真的
In “真的很抱歉”, “真的” means “really” and strengthens the speaker’s apology. It commonly appears before an adjective or expression to emphasize sincerity, such as “真的很累” in a new example.
很
In “真的很抱歉”, “很” intensifies the apology, meaning “very” or “quite”. It commonly comes before an adjective or adjective-like expression, as in “很忙” in a new example.
抱歉
In “真的很抱歉”, “抱歉” expresses that the speaker is sorry for canceling the plan. It is useful when apologizing directly to someone for an inconvenience, often in “对不起” or “很抱歉” expressions.
但
In “但我得取消今晚的计划”, “但” introduces the contrasting fact that the speaker must cancel. It commonly links two clauses when the second clause limits or contrasts with the first, as in “我想去，但我没时间” in a new example.
我
In “我得取消今晚的计划”, “我” refers to the speaker, who has to cancel the plan. It is placed before the action or condition concerning the speaker, such as “我知道” in a new example.
得
In “我得取消今晚的计划”, “得” means that the speaker has to cancel and presents the action as necessary. It is placed before the verb phrase, as in “我得走了” in a new example.
取消
In “取消今晚的计划”, “取消” means to cancel the plan. It commonly takes the thing being canceled directly after it, as in “取消会议” in a new example.
今晚
In “今晚的计划”, “今晚” means tonight and identifies when the plan is scheduled. It can appear before 的 to modify a noun, as in “今晚的晚餐” in a new example.
的
In “今晚的计划”, “的” links “今晚” to “计划”, showing that the plan is associated with tonight. It commonly follows a time, person, or description before the noun it modifies, as in “明天的安排” in a new example.
计划
In “今晚的计划”, “计划” means the plan or arrangement for the evening. It can refer to an activity or arrangement and commonly appears after a time expression such as “今晚的”.
真
In “真让人失望”, “真” means “really” and emphasizes the speaker’s disappointment. It commonly comes before an adjective or expression to show strong feeling, as in “真可惜” in a new example.
让
In “真让人失望”, “让” introduces the people who experience the result: the situation makes people disappointed. It commonly follows the pattern “让 + person + result or feeling”, as in “让你担心” in a new example.
人
In “让人失望”, “人” means people in general, the people affected by the disappointing situation. It follows “让” as the person experiencing the result, while “失望” describes that result.
失望
In “让人失望”, “失望” describes the feeling caused by the late cancellation: being disappointed. It can describe a person’s reaction or the effect of an event, as in “我很失望” in a new example.
发生
In “发生什么急事了吗”, “发生” asks whether an urgent matter occurred. It commonly comes before the event that happened, as in “发生了什么事” in a new example.
什么
In “发生什么急事了吗”, “什么” asks what kind of urgent matter occurred. It appears before the noun it asks about, as in “什么问题” in a new example.
急事
In “发生什么急事了吗”, “急事” means an urgent matter that might explain why the plan was canceled. It commonly appears after “什么” when asking whether an urgent matter occurred.
了
In “发生什么急事了吗”, “了” presents the possible occurrence as a relevant event being asked about, while “吗” makes the sentence a yes-or-no question. Together, “发生……了吗” asks whether something has happened.
吗
In “发生什么急事了吗”, “吗” turns the sentence into a yes-or-no question about an urgent matter. It is placed at the end of a question, as in “你准备好了吗” in a new example.
家里
In “家里出了点事”, “家里” refers to the home or family situation where the problem occurred. It commonly comes before an event or condition connected with the home, as in “家里有人” in a new example.
出
In “家里出了点事”, “出” contributes the meaning that an incident came up or occurred. In the pattern “出了点事”, it describes an unexpected problem rather than physical movement out of a place.
点
In “出了点事”, “点” means some or a bit, making the unspecified matter sound limited or vague. It commonly appears before a noun in small-amount expressions, as in “一点问题” in a new example.
事
In “出了点事”, “事” means a matter or incident, here referring to the family problem without explaining its details. It commonly appears in expressions about something happening, such as “有点事” in a new example.
不能
In “我不能离开家”, “不能” means the speaker cannot leave home because of the family situation. It comes before the action that is impossible or not permitted in the circumstances, as in “不能参加” in a new example.
离开
In “不能离开家”, “离开” means to leave or depart from a place. It commonly takes the place being left directly after it, as in “离开办公室” in a new example.
家
In “离开家”, “家” means home, the place the speaker cannot leave. It commonly follows “离开” to identify the place of departure, as in “回家” in a new example.
理解
In “我理解”, “理解” means that the speaker understands the other person’s situation. It can stand after “我” as a complete response showing empathy, as in “我理解你的担心” in a new example.
希望
In “我真希望能早点知道”, “希望” expresses the speaker’s wish that they had known earlier. It commonly comes before a desired situation or action, as in “希望你能来” in a new example.
能
In “希望能早点知道”, “能” means be able to or have the possibility of knowing earlier. It follows “希望” and comes before the action or state being wished for, as in “希望能帮上忙” in a new example.
早点
In “能早点知道”, “早点” means earlier or sooner than the actual time. It commonly modifies an action to express an earlier desired time, as in “早点告诉我” in a new example.
知道
In “早点知道”, “知道” means know the relevant information about the situation. It commonly takes information as its object or appears after a time expression, as in “知道更多情况” in a new example.
你
In “告诉你”, “你” refers to the friend who should have received the information earlier. It commonly appears after “告诉” as the person being informed, as in “告诉你一个消息” in a new example.
说
In “你这么说”, “说” means say or express the words being referred to. It commonly appears after a person and before the content or manner of speaking, as in “你这样说” in a new example.
对
In “你说得对”, “对” means right or correct, confirming that the other person’s criticism is justified. The reusable expression “说得对” evaluates what someone has said as correct.
一
In “一知道就应该告诉你”, “一” begins the pattern “一……就……”, meaning once or as soon as the first event happens. The pattern links the first event with the immediate expected action that follows it.
就
In “一知道就应该告诉你”, “就” marks the action that should follow as soon as the preceding event occurs. In the pattern “一……就……”, it introduces the consequence or next action.
应该
In “就应该告诉你”, “应该” means should have done something, expressing the speaker’s recognition of the proper action. It comes before the action that was considered necessary or appropriate, as in “应该早点说” in a new example.
告诉
In “告诉你”, “告诉” means inform or tell someone something, here meaning tell the friend about the situation. It commonly takes the person being informed after it and the information after that, as in “告诉你这件事” in a new example.
感谢
In “我很感谢你这么说”, “感谢” means appreciate or be thankful for what the other person said. It commonly takes a person or an action as its object, as in “感谢你的帮助” in a new example.
这么
In “你这么说”, “这么” means in this way or like this, referring to the way the other person has just spoken. It commonly modifies a verb of speaking or acting, as in “别这么做” in a new example.
已经
In “我已经开始准备了”, “已经” means already and shows that preparation had begun before the current response. It commonly appears before the verb phrase describing the completed or ongoing earlier action, as in “已经到了” in a new example.
开始
In “已经开始准备了”, “开始” means begin, marking the point at which preparation started. It commonly comes before the activity that begins, as in “开始工作” in a new example.
准备
In “开始准备了”, “准备” means get ready for the evening plan. It can follow “开始” to name the activity that has begun, as in “准备考试” in a new example.
选
In “选一个适合你的日期”, “选” means choose a date for the rescheduled plan. It commonly takes the chosen item directly after it, as in “选时间” in a new example.
个
In “一个适合你的日期”, “个” is the measure word used with the single date being chosen. It appears between “一” and the noun, as in “一个问题” in a new example.
适合
In “适合你的日期”, “适合” means be suitable for you, so the chosen date should work for you. It commonly takes the person or situation it suits, as in “适合孩子” in a new example.
日期
In “一个适合你的日期”, “日期” means a calendar date for the rescheduled plan. It is the item chosen after “选”, and it can be modified by a person or condition such as “适合你的”.
好
In “好弥补这次临时取消给你带来的不便”, “好” introduces the purpose of choosing the date: so that the inconvenience can be made up for. In this pattern, “好” comes before the intended result or purpose, not as the meaning “good” or “okay”.
弥补
In “弥补这次临时取消给你带来的不便”, “弥补” means make up for or compensate for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation. It commonly takes a loss, problem, or inconvenience as its object, as in “弥补损失” in a new example.
这次
In “这次临时取消”, “这次” means this time or this particular occasion, referring to the current cancellation. It commonly appears before the event or action being identified, as in “这次安排” in a new example.
临时
In “这次临时取消”, “临时” describes the cancellation as made at short notice. It commonly modifies an action or arrangement that happens close to the relevant time, as in “临时改变计划” in a new example.
给
In “给你带来的不便”, “给” marks you as the person affected by the inconvenience. It commonly appears before a person in a pattern describing what an action causes for that person, as in “给你造成麻烦” in a new example.
带来
In “给你带来的不便”, “带来” means bring or cause an effect, here referring to the inconvenience brought to you by the late cancellation. It commonly takes an effect or result as its object, as in “带来麻烦” in a new example.
不便
In “给你带来的不便”, “不便” means inconvenience caused to the friend by the late change. It commonly appears after “带来” in polite apologies, as in “给您带来不便” in a new example.
我们
In “我们可以改天安排”, “我们” means we or us, referring to both friends. It commonly appears before the shared action or possibility, as in “我们一起讨论” in a new example.
可以
In “我们可以改天安排”, “可以” means can or may, presenting rescheduling as possible. It comes before the proposed action, as in “可以改时间” in a new example.
改天
In “改天安排”, “改天” means on another day, referring to a later occasion for the plan. It commonly appears before an activity that will be moved to that day, as in “改天再聊” in a new example.
安排
In “改天安排”, “安排” means arrange or schedule the plan for another day. It commonly takes an event, time, or activity as its object, as in “安排见面” in a new example.
等
In “等事情缓和一些后”, “等” means wait until the situation has eased before taking the next action. It introduces the condition or event that must come first, as in “等你有时间再说” in a new example.
事情
In “等事情缓和一些后”, “事情” means the matter or situation affecting the family. It commonly appears as the subject of a change in condition, as in “事情解决了” in a new example.
缓和
In “事情缓和一些后”, “缓和” means become calmer or less intense, describing the situation after the immediate problem eases. It commonly describes tension, conflict, or a difficult situation, as in “气氛缓和了” in a new example.
一些
In “缓和一些”, “一些” means somewhat or a little, indicating that the situation should become calmer to some degree. It commonly follows a descriptive word to show a modest change, as in “轻松一些” in a new example.
后
In “事情缓和一些后”, “后” means after the situation has eased somewhat. It follows the preceding time or condition clause and places the requested confirmation afterward, as in “吃完饭后” in a new example.
请
In “请再确认一下”, “请” politely asks the other person to confirm again. It commonly comes before a request or action, as in “请告诉我” in a new example.
再
In “请再确认一下”, “再” means again or then, asking the friend to confirm at a later point after things are calmer. It commonly appears before the repeated or postponed action, as in “再联系我” in a new example.
确认
In “再确认一下”, “确认” means confirm the rescheduled arrangement. It commonly takes an arrangement, time, or piece of information as its object, as in “确认时间” in a new example.
一下
In “请再确认一下”, “一下” softens the request and presents the confirmation as a brief action. It commonly follows a verb in polite everyday requests, as in “看一下” in a new example.
更多
In “知道更多情况”, “更多” means more, referring to additional information about the family situation. It commonly comes before a noun to indicate an increased amount, as in “更多信息” in a new example.
情况
In “知道更多情况”, “情况” means the relevant situation or circumstances. It commonly follows “了解” or “知道” when referring to information about an unfolding matter, as in “了解情况” in a new example.
会
In “我会给你发消息”, “会” indicates the speaker’s future intention to send a message. It comes before the action that is expected or promised, as in “我会通知你” in a new example.
发
In “发消息”, “发” means send, specifically send a message to the friend. It commonly appears before the thing being sent, as in “发邮件” in a new example.
消息
In “给你发消息”, “消息” means a message that the speaker will send with further information. It commonly follows “发” and can follow “给” to identify the recipient, as in “给我发消息” in a new example.
晚
In “这么晚改计划”, “晚” means late, describing the timing of the change. It commonly follows a degree word such as “这么” when commenting that an action happened later than appropriate, as in “这么晚回家” in a new example.
改
In “这么晚改计划”, “改” means change or alter the plan. It commonly takes the thing being changed directly after it, as in “改时间” in a new example.
打乱
In “打乱了你的晚上安排”, “打乱” means disrupt or throw into disorder, describing how the late change affected the friend’s evening arrangement. It commonly takes a schedule, plan, or arrangement as its object, as in “打乱计划” in a new example.
晚上
In “你的晚上安排”, “晚上” refers to the evening period whose arrangement was disrupted. It commonly modifies an activity or arrangement connected with that time, as in “晚上活动” in a new example.
一切
In “一切都好”, “一切” means everything, referring broadly to all aspects of the family situation. It commonly appears before “都” when describing the overall condition, as in “一切都准备好了” in a new example.
都
In “一切都好”, “都” means all or everything in the situation, linking “一切” with the condition “好”. It commonly follows a plural or comprehensive subject, as in “大家都到了” in a new example.
Grammar Points
已经 + 动词
已经开始准备。
Yǐjīng kāishǐ zhǔnbèi.Already started preparing.
已经 comes before the verb to show that an action has already happened or begun.
动词 + 得 + 形容词
说得对。
Shuō de duì.That's right.
得 connects a verb with a complement describing how the action is performed; 说得对 means “speak correctly.”
Chinese Vocabulary
抱歉
adj
bàoqiàn
sorry
发生
verb
fāshēng
to happen
急事
noun
jíshì
urgent matter
计划
noun
jìhuà
plan
家里
noun
jiālǐ
at home; one's family
今晚
noun
jīnwǎn
tonight
离开
verb
líkāi
to leave
理解
verb
lǐjiě
to understand
取消
verb
qǔxiāo
to cancel
失望
adj
shīwàng
disappointed; disappointing
希望
verb
xīwàng
to hope; to wish
早点
adv
zǎodiǎn
earlier; sooner
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
at home; one's family
Show Answer
家里to cancel
Show Answer
取消to understand
Show Answer
理解plan