German · Real conversations
Changing plans: German conversation practice
Explain a change and offer a clear next step. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A friend updating someone about an appointment.
Goal: Explain a change and offer a clear next step.
Read the conversation
Partner
Ich bin schon im Café. Bist du gleich da?
Show English translation
I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here?
You
Ich komme zehn Minuten später.
Show English translation
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner
Danke für die Nachricht. Wir können auch einen anderen Tag wählen.
Show English translation
Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day.
You
Können wir es auf Samstag verschieben?
Show English translation
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner
Samstag passt. Ist alles in Ordnung?
Show English translation
Saturday works. Is everything okay?
You
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
Show English translation
Something has come up.
Partner
Ich verstehe. Soll ich heute noch auf dich warten?
Show English translation
I understand. Should I still wait for you today?
You
Leider kann ich nicht kommen.
Show English translation
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner
Kein Problem. Sag mir Bescheid, wenn du Samstag bestätigen kannst.
Show English translation
No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday.
You
Ich gebe dir Bescheid.
Show English translation
I'll let you know.
Try your part first
Partner says: I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here? Your goal: I'm running ten minutes late.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich komme zehn Minuten später.
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner says: Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day. Your goal: Can we move it to Saturday?
Reveal a sample reply
Können wir es auf Samstag verschieben?
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner says: Saturday works. Is everything okay? Your goal: Something has come up.
Reveal a sample reply
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
Something has come up.
Partner says: I understand. Should I still wait for you today? Your goal: I'm afraid I can't make it.
Reveal a sample reply
Leider kann ich nicht kommen.
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner says: No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday. Your goal: I'll let you know.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich gebe dir Bescheid.
I'll let you know.
Make it your own
- Be twenty minutes late.
- Cancel instead of moving the time.
- Offer two alternative dates.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal 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.
