German · Real conversations

Decline an invitation naturally in German

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

Danke für die Einladung, aber ich kann nicht kommen.
Thanks for inviting me, but I can't come.
Give a clear thanks and decline without inventing a reason.
Ich würde gern, aber ich habe schon etwas vor.
I'd love to, but I already have plans.
Express interest while explaining that you already have plans.
Diesmal kann ich nicht. Können wir uns nächste Woche treffen?
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

Kannst du am Samstag zu meiner Party kommen?

Can you come to my party on Saturday?

Danke für die Einladung, aber ich kann nicht kommen.

Thanks for inviting me, but I can't come.

A dinner invitation that conflicts with plans

Möchtest du morgen zusammen zu Abend essen?

Would you like to have dinner tomorrow?

Ich würde gern, aber ich habe schon etwas vor.

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

Diesmal kann ich nicht. Können wir uns nächste Woche treffen?

I can't make it this time. Could we meet next week?

This speaking goal in other languages

A note on speaking German

Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.

The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.