Italian · Real conversations
Changing plans: Italian 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
Sono già al bar. Stai per arrivare?
Show English translation
I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here?
You
Sono in ritardo di dieci minuti.
Show English translation
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner
Grazie per avermelo detto. Possiamo anche scegliere un altro giorno.
Show English translation
Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day.
You
Possiamo spostarlo a sabato?
Show English translation
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner
Sabato va bene. Va tutto bene?
Show English translation
Saturday works. Is everything okay?
You
È successo un imprevisto.
Show English translation
Something has come up.
Partner
Capisco. Devo ancora aspettarti oggi?
Show English translation
I understand. Should I still wait for you today?
You
Purtroppo non riesco a venire.
Show English translation
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner
Nessun problema. Fammi sapere quando puoi confermare sabato.
Show English translation
No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday.
You
Ti faccio sapere.
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
Sono in ritardo di dieci minuti.
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
Possiamo spostarlo a sabato?
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner says: Saturday works. Is everything okay? Your goal: Something has come up.
Reveal a sample reply
È successo un imprevisto.
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
Purtroppo non riesco a venire.
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
Ti faccio sapere.
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 Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
