Rescheduling or Canceling
One person needs to change or cancel a previously scheduled appointment or plan due to unforeseen circumstances, communicating the change to the other party and potentially finding an alternative time.
Una persona necesita cambiar o cancelar una cita o plan previamente programado debido a circunstancias imprevistas, comunicando el cambio a la otra parte y posiblemente encontrando un horario alternativo.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
unexpected
Something that happens suddenly and was not planned, like an emergency. Use it to explain why plans change.
Algo que sucede de repente y no estaba planeado, como una emergencia. Úsalo para explicar por qué cambian los planes.
came up
A phrasal verb meaning something arises or happens unexpectedly. Common in casual talk about sudden issues.
Un verbo frasal que significa que algo surge o ocurre inesperadamente. Común en charlas casuales sobre problemas repentinos.
no worries
An informal way to say 'don't worry' or 'it's okay.' It's polite and reassuring when someone apologizes.
Una forma informal de decir 'no te preocupes' o 'está bien'. Es educado y tranquilizador cuando alguien se disculpa.
last-minute
Something done or happening very close to the deadline or time. Useful for describing sudden changes in plans.
Algo hecho o que sucede muy cerca de la fecha límite o el momento. Útil para describir cambios repentinos en los planes.
apologize
To say sorry for something you did or couldn't do. Always use it to show politeness when canceling plans.
Decir perdón por algo que hiciste o no pudiste hacer. Siempre úsalo para mostrar cortesía al cancelar planes.
short notice
When you tell someone about a change with very little warning time. It's common in scheduling talks.
Cuando le dices a alguien sobre un cambio con muy poco tiempo de advertencia. Es común en charlas de programación.
reschedule
To change the time of a meeting or event to a later or different time. Key word for rearranging plans.
Cambiar la hora de una reunión o evento a un momento posterior o diferente. Palabra clave para reorganizar planes.
flexible
Able to change or adapt easily, like having free time. Use it when suggesting available times for meetings.
Capaz de cambiar o adaptarse fácilmente, como tener tiempo libre. Úsalo cuando sugieras horarios disponibles para reuniones.
calendar
A tool or app to track dates, times, and appointments. People check it to find free slots.
Una herramienta o app para rastrear fechas, horas y citas. La gente la consulta para encontrar franjas libres.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hey Michael, I'm so sorry, but something unexpected came up and I won't be able to make our coffee meeting tomorrow morning.
This sentence apologizes for canceling a plan due to an unexpected issue. It's useful for starting a rescheduling conversation politely. Note the structure: apology + reason + what can't happen.
Esta oración se disculpa por cancelar un plan debido a un problema inesperado. Es útil para iniciar una conversación de reprogramación cortésmente. Nota la estructura: disculpa + razón + lo que no puede suceder.
Oh, no worries at all, Sarah. Is everything okay?
A reassuring response to an apology, showing understanding. Use it to be kind and check on the person. 'No worries' is an informal idiom for 'it's fine.'
Una respuesta tranquilizadora a una disculpa, mostrando comprensión. Úsala para ser amable y verificar cómo está la persona. 'No worries' es una expresión informal que significa 'está bien'.
Yes, everything's fine, just a last-minute family commitment. I truly apologize for the short notice.
Explains the reason briefly and apologizes again. Good for intermediate learners to practice giving details without oversharing. 'Short notice' means little warning time.
Explica la razón brevemente y se disculpa de nuevo. Bueno para estudiantes intermedios para practicar dar detalles sin compartir demasiado. 'Short notice' significa poco tiempo de aviso.
Don't sweat it. These things happen. How about we try to reschedule for sometime next week instead?
'Don't sweat it' is slang for 'don't worry about it.' This suggests rescheduling positively. Useful pattern: dismiss concern + propose alternative.
'Don't sweat it' es jerga para 'don't worry about it'. Esto sugiere reprogramar de forma positiva. Patrón útil: descartar la preocupación + proponer alternativa.
That would be great! I'm pretty flexible in the afternoons on Tuesday or Thursday. Do either of those work for you?
Shows enthusiasm and offers options. 'Flexible' means available. The question 'Do either... work?' uses 'either' for two choices, helping coordinate schedules.
Muestra entusiasmo y ofrece opciones. 'Flexible' significa disponible. La pregunta 'Do either... work?' usa 'either' para dos elecciones, ayudando a coordinar horarios.
Let me quickly check my calendar... Hmm, Thursday afternoon looks good for me. Say, around 2 PM?
Demonstrates checking availability and suggesting a time. 'Looks good' means it's suitable. Use this to confirm times naturally in conversations.
Demuestra la verificación de disponibilidad y la sugerencia de un horario. 'Looks good' significa que es adecuado. Úsalo para confirmar horarios de manera natural en las conversaciones.
Perfect! Thursday at 2 PM works for me too. Same place?
Agrees to the suggestion and confirms details. 'Works for me' means it's convenient. Short and direct, ideal for finalizing plans.
Acepta la sugerencia y confirma los detalles. « Works for me » significa que es conveniente. Corto y directo, ideal para finalizar planes.
Sounds good. See you then, Sarah!
A casual way to end the agreement. 'See you then' is a common farewell for scheduled meetings. Use it to wrap up positively.
Una forma casual de finalizar el acuerdo. 'See you then' es una despedida común para reuniones programadas. Úsala para cerrar de manera positiva.
Thanks again, Michael. Really appreciate your understanding. See you next Thursday!
Expresses gratitude and confirms the new time. 'Appreciate' means thankful for. Good for showing politeness at the end of rescheduling talks.
Expresa gratitud y confirma el nuevo horario. 'Appreciate' significa agradecido por. Bueno para mostrar cortesía al final de las conversaciones de reprogramación.