English · Natural expressions
How to change a plan in English
When a plan changes, state the change early. Ask for a new day, explain that you cannot attend, or give a realistic arrival time and check whether it works.
Plan badalna ho to jaldi aur saaf batayein. Mumkin ho to naya time ya option dein.
Choose the expression that fits
Expression 1
Could we move our meeting to Friday?
क्या हम अपनी मुलाकात शुक्रवार को रख सकते हैं?
kya ham apni mulaakaat shukravaar ko rakh sakte hain?
Request a new day for an existing meeting.
Expression 2
Something has come up. I can't make it today.
अचानक कुछ काम आ गया है। आज नहीं आ पाऊँगा / पाऊँगी।
achaanak kuchh kaam aa gaya hai. aaj nahi aa paaunga / paaungi.
Explain an unexpected commitment and decline today's arrangement.
Expression 3
I'm sorry, I'll be ten minutes late. Is that okay?
माफ़ कीजिए, मैं दस मिनट देर से पहुँचूँगा / पहुँचूँगी। क्या यह ठीक है?
maaf kijiye, main das minute der se pahunchoonga / pahunchoongi. kya yah theek hai?
Give the expected delay and ask whether that is acceptable.
What to watch for
“Something has come up” means an unexpected matter needs your attention. Explain the change clearly and suggest a new time if that is possible.
See it in a short conversation
Moving a Thursday meeting
Partner
Is Thursday still okay?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या गुरुवार अब भी ठीक है?
kya guruvaar ab bhi theek hai?
You
Could we move our meeting to Friday?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या हम अपनी मुलाकात शुक्रवार को रख सकते हैं?
kya ham apni mulaakaat shukravaar ko rakh sakte hain?
Changing an afternoon arrangement
Partner
See you this afternoon.
Show Hindi meaning
आज दोपहर मिलते हैं।
aaj dopahar milte hain.
You
Something has come up. I can't make it today.
Show Hindi meaning
अचानक कुछ काम आ गया है। आज नहीं आ पाऊँगा / पाऊँगी।
achaanak kuchh kaam aa gaya hai. aaj nahi aa paaunga / paaungi.
Your turn
Tell someone you will be ten minutes late. Apologize and ask whether the revised time is okay.
Reveal sample reply
I'm sorry, I'll be ten minutes late. Is that okay?
माफ़ कीजिए, मैं दस मिनट देर से पहुँचूँगा / पहुँचूँगी। क्या यह ठीक है?
maaf kijiye, main das minute der se pahunchoonga / pahunchoongi. kya yah theek hai?
