Your phone buzzes… one of your English speaking friends has sent you a message asking if you’d like to get dinner this weekend. You frantically Google Translate your responses. And I can assure you that, as usual, Google Translate is never as accurate as we’d like it to be. Fortunately, the vocabulary for making (and breaking) plans is relatively clear. If you avoid directly translating from Spanish and stay away from Google Translate, you can quickly and confidently master this skill.
In this post, we’ll practice the vocabulary for making plans, changing plans, and cancelling plans. We’ll also review vocab for some of the most common plans we make! Next time you friend messages you about plans, you’ll be ready.
Initiating Plans
Example: Are you interested in going to the beach on Saturday?
Example: Would you like to go out to eat on Friday night?
Example: Can you hang out on Sunday?
Example: Are you free to go biking Monday afternoon?
Example: Are you able to join us for brunch on Sunday morning?
Example: Do you want to grab a drink this weekend?
Example: Let’s get ice cream after work!
Responding to Proposed Plans
Positive responses!
I’m not sure…
Let me check my schedule and get back to you.
I’ll let you know!
It depends on_____. I’ll confirm as soon as I can!
Maybe! I’ll let you know as soon as possible.
There’s a chance I can make it. I’ll let you know.
Negative responses
Unfortunately, I can’t make it.
I’m busy, but let’s meet up another time!
I’m not able to go this time. So sorry!
That time doesn’t work for me.
Changing the Plan
Can we change our plan?
Is it possible to reschedule?
I’m really sorry for the trouble, but can we reschedule?
Our original plan actually won’t work for me. Any chance you’re available another time?
Cancelling the Plan
Unfortunately, I have to cancel.
My schedule is complicated today. I have to cancel.
It’s been a hectic day/week, and I’m not going to be able to make it today.
So sorry for the trouble, but I need to cancel! Thanks so much for understanding.
Something came up, and I can’t make it.
Expressing your Feelings about the Plan
Common Plan-Making Vocabulary
Example: Do you want to meet up sometime this week?
Example: Let’s all hang out this weekend! Maybe we can go to the beach. The weather is supposed to be beautiful.
Example: We should find a time to get together! It’s been a while since we hung out.
Spend time - in English, we say spend time with other people, NOT share or pass time. It directly translates to gastar tiempo. For many English language learners, this is a strange direct translation, but I promise it’s accurate!
Example: Do you want to spend time with my family this weekend? I think we’re having a picnic.
Example: Would you like to get dinner next Wednesday?
Example: Do you want to grab a drink sometime?
Example: Let’s go out on Saturday night! We can get drinks and sing karaoke.
