Spanish · Real conversations
Changing plans: Spanish 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
Ya estoy en el café. ¿Estás por llegar?
Show English translation
I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here?
You
Voy a llegar diez minutos tarde.
Show English translation
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner
Gracias por avisarme. También podemos elegir otro día.
Show English translation
Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day.
You
¿Podemos cambiarlo al sábado?
Show English translation
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner
El sábado me viene bien. ¿Está todo bien?
Show English translation
Saturday works. Is everything okay?
You
Me surgió un imprevisto.
Show English translation
Something has come up.
Partner
Entiendo. ¿Sigo esperándote hoy?
Show English translation
I understand. Should I still wait for you today?
You
Lo siento, no voy a poder ir.
Show English translation
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner
No hay problema. Avísame cuando puedas confirmar lo del sábado.
Show English translation
No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday.
You
Te aviso.
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
Voy a llegar diez minutos tarde.
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
¿Podemos cambiarlo al sábado?
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner says: Saturday works. Is everything okay? Your goal: Something has come up.
Reveal a sample reply
Me surgió 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
Lo siento, no voy a poder ir.
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
Te aviso.
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 Spanish
These guides use broadly understandable Latin American Spanish. Tú is familiar and usted is respectful or formal, with important regional variation. Me gustaría and ¿podría …? are useful for considerate requests.
Keep accent marks and opening question marks. Some regions choose different everyday words. Follow the complete example rather than substituting English words one by one, especially with pronouns and expressions of preference.
