French · Real conversations
Decline an invitation naturally in French
A clear decline helps the host plan. Acknowledge the invitation, explain an existing commitment if you want to, or suggest a new time when you genuinely want to meet.
Three ways to say it
Merci pour l'invitation, mais je ne peux pas venir.
Thanks for inviting me, but I can't come.
Give a clear thanks and decline without inventing a reason.
J'aimerais bien, mais j'ai déjà quelque chose de prévu.
I'd love to, but I already have plans.
Express interest while explaining that you already have plans.
Je ne peux pas cette fois. On pourrait se voir la semaine prochaine ?
I can't make it this time. Could we meet next week?
Decline this occasion and offer a specific opportunity to meet later.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'I can't make it' means you cannot attend, not that you cannot manufacture something. Use the complete attendance expression shown in the target language.
See the difference in context
A Saturday party invitation
Tu peux venir à ma fête samedi ?
Can you come to my party on Saturday?
Merci pour l'invitation, mais je ne peux pas venir.
Thanks for inviting me, but I can't come.
A dinner invitation that conflicts with plans
Tu voudrais dîner ensemble demain ?
Would you like to have dinner tomorrow?
J'aimerais bien, mais j'ai déjà quelque chose de prévu.
I'd love to, but I already have plans.
Your turn
You cannot attend this time, but you would like to meet. Decline and suggest meeting next week.
Reveal a sample reply
Je ne peux pas cette fois. On pourrait se voir la semaine prochaine ?
I can't make it this time. Could we meet next week?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
