Apologizing for canceling plans and rescheduling | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: Before an evening plan, one friend apologizes for canceling late because of a family issue and offers to reschedule..

EN → DA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Apologizing for canceling plans and rescheduling to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Jeg er virkelig ked af det, men jeg er nødt til at aflyse vores aftale i aften.

yai air VAIR-klee kay uh day, men yai air nurt til uh-FLOO-suh VOH-uhs AF-day-luh ee AF-den. I'm really sorry, but I need to cancel tonight's plan.
B

Det er ærgerligt. Skete der noget akut?

deh air AIR-uh-lee. SGAY-duh dair NOH-uh ah-GOOD? That's disappointing. Did something urgent happen?
A

Der er opstået et problem i familien, og jeg kan ikke gå hjemmefra.

dair air op-STOH-ud uhd proh-BLEM ee fuh-MEEL-yun, oh yai kan EE-guh goh YEM-uh-frah. A family issue came up, and I can't leave home.
B

Jeg forstår det, men jeg ville ønske, jeg havde vidst det tidligere.

yai for-STOR duh, men yai VEL-uh URN-skuh, yai HAH-duh VES-duh duh TEE-lee-uh. I understand, but I wish I had known earlier.
A

Du har ret. Jeg burde have fortalt dig det, så snart jeg vidste det.

doo hah rait. yai BOO-duh HAH-duh for-TALT dai duh, soh snart yai VES-duh duh. You're right. I should have told you as soon as I knew.
B

Det sætter jeg pris på. Jeg var allerede begyndt at gøre mig klar.

deh SET-uh yai prees poh. yai vah al-RAI-duh buh-GURNT uh GUR-uh mai klar. I appreciate that. I had already started getting ready.
A

Lad mig gøre det godt igen ved at vælge en ny dato, der passer dig.

lah mai GUR-uh duh goht ee-GEN vay uh VEL-guh en DAY-toh, dair PASS-uh dai. Let me make it up to you by choosing another date that works for you.
B

Vi kan finde en ny dato, men bekræft det venligst, når tingene er faldet mere til ro.

vee kan FIN-duh uh noo DAY-toh, men buh-GREFT duh VEN-leest, nor TING-uh-nuh air FALL-uhd MAY-uh til roh. We can reschedule, but please confirm once things are calmer.
A

Jeg skriver til dig, når jeg ved mere.

yai SGREE-vuh til dai, nor yai vay MAY-uh. I'll message you when I know more.
A

Jeg ved, at ændringen i sidste øjeblik forstyrrede din aften.

yai vay, at AN-drung-en ee SID-stuh UR-uh-bleg foh-STUR-uh-duh deen AF-den. I know the late change disrupted your evening.
B

Jeg håber, at alt er i orden med din familie.

yai HOH-buh, at alt air ee OR-den meh deen fuh-MEEL-yuh. I hope everything is all right with your family.

Word by Word

Jeg In “Jeg er virkelig ked af det”, “Jeg” means “I” and is the speaker who feels sorry. It is used as the subject before the verb. A new example is “Jeg forstår det” for “I understand it.”
er In “Jeg er virkelig ked af det”, “er” means “am” and links the speaker to the expression of being sorry. It is used after “Jeg” in this sentence. A new example is “Jeg er klar” for “I am ready.”
virkelig In “virkelig ked af det”, “virkelig” means “really” and strengthens the apology. It is placed before the expression it intensifies. A new example is “virkelig vigtigt” for “really important.”
ked af det In “Jeg er virkelig ked af det”, the whole expression means “I am sorry” or “I regret it”. “Ked” contributes the feeling of regret, while “af det” completes the expression and refers to the matter being regretted. Use the whole expression when apologizing for something.
men In “men jeg er nødt til at aflyse”, “men” means “but” and introduces the reason or situation that follows the apology. It connects two contrasting parts of the sentence. A new example is “Jeg vil gerne komme, men jeg kan ikke” for “I would like to come, but I cannot.”
nødt In “jeg er nødt til at aflyse”, “nødt” expresses that the speaker needs to or is obliged to cancel. It is used with “er” and “til at” before the action. The same structure can be reused with another action after “er nødt til at.”
til In “er nødt til at aflyse”, “til” is part of the sequence that connects being obliged to the action “aflyse”. Here it does not simply mean movement toward a place. Keep it in the construction “er nødt til at aflyse.”
at In “til at aflyse”, “at” marks the infinitive action that follows “til”. It introduces “aflyse” as the action the speaker needs to perform. This same marker appears before an infinitive after this construction.
aflyse In “at aflyse vores aftale”, “aflyse” means to cancel the appointment or plan. It is the action introduced by “at” after “nødt til”. Use it with something being canceled, such as “vores aftale.”
vores In “vores aftale”, “vores” means “our” and shows that the appointment belongs to or concerns both speakers. It comes before the noun it describes. A new example is “vores plan” for “our plan.”
aftale In “vores aftale”, “aftale” means the appointment or plan the speakers had made. It is the thing being canceled in the dialogue. A new example is “en aftale” for “an appointment.”
i In “i aften”, “i” is part of the time expression meaning “this evening” or “in the evening”. It places the plan in a particular time period. Keep it together with “aften” in this expression.
aften In “i aften”, “aften” means “evening”. Together with “i”, it identifies when the appointment was planned. A new example is “i morgen aften” for “tomorrow evening.”
Det In “Det er ærgerligt”, “Det” refers generally to the situation and means “it” or “that”. It functions as the subject of the reaction. A new example is “Det er svært” for “It is difficult.”
ærgerligt In “Det er ærgerligt”, “ærgerligt” describes the situation as disappointing or regrettable. Together with “Det er”, it expresses a negative reaction to what happened. Use it when a change or event is unfortunate.
Skete In “Skete der noget akut?”, “Skete” asks whether something happened. It refers to the event that may have caused the cancellation. This is the past form of “ske”, meaning “to happen.”
der In “Skete der noget akut?”, “der” helps introduce the thing that happened. Here it does not point to a physical place. It is used in the question before “noget akut.”
noget In “noget akut”, “noget” means “something” and refers to an unspecified event or problem. It is followed here by “akut”, which describes the something. A new example is “noget vigtigt” for “something important.”
akut In “noget akut”, “akut” means urgent or requiring immediate attention. It describes the unspecified matter that may have happened. A new example is “et akut problem” for “an urgent problem.”
opstået In “Der er opstået et problem i familien”, “opstået” means that a problem has arisen or come up. It is used with “er” to describe the new family problem. This is the form of “opstå” used for something that has arisen.
et In “et problem”, “et” means “a” and introduces one unspecified problem. It comes directly before “problem” here. Use it before this noun in the phrase “et problem.”
problem In “et problem i familien”, “problem” means an issue or difficulty. It identifies what has arisen in the family. A new example is “et stort problem” for “a big problem.”
familien In “i familien”, “familien” means “the family” and refers to the family involved in the situation. The form identifies a specific family rather than an unspecified one. It follows “i” in this expression.
og In “og jeg kan ikke gå hjemmefra”, “og” means “and” and joins the family problem to its consequence for the speaker. It connects the two parts of the explanation. A new example is “Jeg bliver hjemme, og jeg ringer senere” for “I am staying home, and I will call later.”
kan In “jeg kan ikke gå hjemmefra”, “kan” expresses ability or possibility. Together with “ikke”, it says that the speaker cannot leave home. A new example is “Jeg kan komme senere” for “I can come later.”
ikke In “kan ikke gå hjemmefra”, “ikke” makes the ability negative. It changes “kan gå” into “cannot go”. It is placed after “kan” and before the action “gå” here.
gå In “gå hjemmefra”, “gå” means to go or leave on foot. Together with “hjemmefra”, it means to leave home. A new example is “gå hjem” for “go home.”
hjemmefra In “gå hjemmefra”, “hjemmefra” means from home and marks the place the speaker would leave. It completes the expression with “gå”. Use it when describing leaving home.
forstår In “Jeg forstår det”, “forstår” means “understand” and shows that the speaker understands the explanation. It is followed by “det”, which refers to the matter being discussed. This is the present form used after “Jeg” in the dialogue.
ville In “jeg ville ønske”, “ville” is part of the expression used to introduce a wish or regret. It helps make the statement “I wish I had known earlier”. Keep it together with “ønske” in this construction.
ønske In “ville ønske, jeg havde vidst det tidligere”, “ønske” means “wish”. The whole expression introduces something the speaker would have preferred to know earlier. It is followed here by the clause “jeg havde vidst det tidligere.”
havde In “jeg havde vidst det tidligere”, “havde” helps describe the earlier situation of having known something. It comes before “vidst” in the expression. A new example is “Jeg havde glemt det” for “I had forgotten it.”
vidst In “havde vidst det tidligere”, “vidst” means “known”. It follows “havde” and refers to knowledge the speaker did not have earlier. This is the form of “vide” used in this construction.
tidligere In “vidst det tidligere”, “tidligere” means “earlier” and specifies that the knowledge should have come sooner. It refers to an earlier point in time. A new example is “Jeg kom tidligere” for “I came earlier.”
Du In “Du har ret”, “Du” means “you” and identifies the person being addressed. It is the subject before “har”. A new example is “Du forstår det” for “You understand it.”
har In “Du har ret”, “har” is used with “ret” to say that the other person is right. The expression as a whole means “You are right”. A new example is “Du har tid” for “You have time.”
ret In “Du har ret”, “ret” means right or correct. Together with “har”, it confirms that the other person’s criticism is valid. Use it in the expression “har ret” when agreeing that someone is right.
burde In “Jeg burde have fortalt dig det”, “burde” means should or ought to and expresses that telling the person earlier would have been better. It is followed here by “have fortalt”. Use it when acknowledging a responsibility about an action.
have In “burde have fortalt dig det”, “have” helps refer to the earlier action of telling. It comes between “burde” and “fortalt”. Keep it in this sequence when describing what should have happened.
fortalt In “have fortalt dig det”, “fortalt” means told. It identifies the information that should have been given to the other person. This is the form of “fortælle” used after “have.”
dig In “fortalt dig det”, “dig” means “you” as the person who should have received the information. It follows “fortalt” and comes before “det”. A new example is “Jeg skriver til dig” for “I write to you.”
så In “så snart jeg vidste det”, “så” is part of the expression “så snart”, meaning “as soon as”. It introduces the point when the speaker knew. Do not interpret it here as the separate meaning “therefore.”
snart In “så snart jeg vidste det”, “snart” contributes the meaning “soon” to the expression “as soon as”. The whole expression links one action to the moment another action becomes known. A new example is “så snart jeg kan” for “as soon as I can.”
vidste In “jeg vidste det”, “vidste” means “knew” and describes what the speaker knew at that time. It is followed by “det”, referring to the situation or information. This is the past form of “vide.”
sætter In “Det sætter jeg pris på”, “sætter” is part of the expression meaning “I appreciate that”. It provides the verb in the expression, while “det” refers to what is appreciated and “pris på” completes the meaning. Use the whole expression to show appreciation.
pris In “Det sætter jeg pris på”, “pris” is part of the expression used to say that the speaker appreciates something. It contributes the idea of valuing what “det” refers to. Keep it together with “sætter” and “på” in this phrase.
på In “Det sætter jeg pris på”, “på” completes the expression for appreciating something. It comes after “pris” and refers back to the thing being appreciated. Do not omit it from this expression.
var In “Jeg var allerede begyndt at gøre mig klar”, “var” means “was” and describes the speaker’s state when preparation had already started. It comes before “begyndt”. A new example is “Jeg var hjemme” for “I was at home.”
allerede In “var allerede begyndt”, “allerede” means “already” and shows that the preparation had started before the cancellation message. It emphasizes that the action was in progress or had begun by then. A new example is “Jeg har allerede spist” for “I have already eaten.”
begyndt In “var allerede begyndt at gøre mig klar”, “begyndt” means “started” and says that getting ready had already begun. It is followed by “at gøre mig klar”, which names the activity. This is the form of “begynde” used after “var.”
gøre In “gøre mig klar”, “gøre” means do or make as part of the expression meaning “get myself ready”. “Mig” identifies the person becoming ready, and “klar” describes the resulting state. Use the whole construction when talking about getting ready.
mig In “gøre mig klar”, “mig” means “myself” and identifies who is being made ready. It comes between “gøre” and “klar”. A new example is “Jeg vasker mig” for “I wash myself.”
klar In “gøre mig klar”, “klar” means ready and describes the state the speaker is preparing to reach. Together with “gøre mig”, it means “get myself ready”. A new example is “Jeg er klar” for “I am ready.”
Lad In “Lad mig gøre det godt igen”, “Lad” introduces a request or proposal meaning “let”. It is used at the beginning of the phrase before “mig”. The whole phrase offers to take an action.
gøre det godt igen In “gøre det godt igen”, the whole expression means to make amends or make up for something. “Gøre” contributes doing or making, “det” refers to the matter being repaired, “godt” expresses making it right, and “igen” adds the idea of restoring things. Use the full expression when offering to repair the effect of a mistake.
ved In “ved at vælge en ny dato”, “ved” introduces the way the speaker will make amends. Together with “at vælge”, it presents choosing a new date as the means of doing so. Keep it with the following action in this construction.
vælge In “ved at vælge en ny dato”, “vælge” means to choose. It is the action proposed as a way to make amends. A new example is “vælge en tid” for “choose a time.”
en In “en ny dato”, “en” means “a” and introduces one new date. It comes before “dato”. A new example is “en anden dag” for “another day.”
ny In “en ny dato”, “ny” means new or another and describes the replacement date being proposed. It comes before “dato”. A new example is “en ny plan” for “a new plan.”
dato In “en ny dato”, “dato” means date. It is the date the speaker offers to choose for the rescheduled plan. A new example is “finde en dato” for “find a date.”
passer In “der passer dig”, “passer” means suits or works for you. It describes a date that fits the other person’s availability or preference. The person it suits can follow it directly, as in “passer dig.”
Vi In “Vi kan finde en ny dato”, “Vi” means “we” and refers to both speakers. It is the subject before “kan”. A new example is “Vi forstår det” for “We understand it.”
finde In “kan finde en ny dato”, “finde” means to find, and here it refers to arranging a new date together. It follows “kan” and takes “en ny dato” as its object. A new example is “finde en løsning” for “find a solution.”
bekræft In “bekræft det venligst”, “bekræft” means “confirm” and gives a direct request to confirm the plan or information. It is followed by “det”, which refers to the matter being confirmed. This is the form used for a polite request with “venligst.”
venligst In “bekræft det venligst”, “venligst” means “please” and makes the request more polite. It can be placed with a request such as “bekræft det”. A new example is “Vent venligst” for “Please wait.”
når In “når tingene er faldet mere til ro”, “når” means “when” and introduces the time at which the other person should confirm. It connects the request to a future situation. A new example is “når du ved mere” for “when you know more.”
tingene In “når tingene er faldet mere til ro”, “tingene” refers broadly to the circumstances or situation being discussed. It is the subject of the expression about becoming calmer. The form points to the particular circumstances affecting the speakers.
faldet In “faldet mere til ro”, “faldet” is part of the expression meaning that things have settled down. It describes movement toward a calmer state rather than a literal fall. This is the form used with “er” in the dialogue.
mere In “faldet mere til ro”, “mere” means “more” and indicates a greater degree of calm. It modifies the state described by “til ro”. A new example is “mere klar” for “more ready.”
ro In “faldet mere til ro”, “ro” means calm or peace. Together with “faldet ... til”, it describes the situation becoming settled. Use the full expression when waiting until a difficult situation is calmer.
skriver In “Jeg skriver til dig”, “skriver” means “write” and, in this context, means send a message. It is followed by “til dig” to identify the recipient. A new example is “Jeg skriver senere” for “I will write later.”
ændringen In “ændringen i sidste øjeblik”, “ændringen” means “the change”, specifically the late change to the plan. It is the subject of what disrupted the evening. The form refers to a particular change already understood in the conversation.
i sidste øjeblik In “ændringen i sidste øjeblik”, the whole expression means “at the last moment”. “I” introduces the time setting, “sidste” means final or last, and “øjeblik” means moment. Use it to describe a change or action made very late.
forstyrrede In “forstyrrede din aften”, “forstyrrede” means disrupted or disturbed. It describes the effect the late change had on the other person’s evening. This is the past form of “forstyrre.”
din In “din aften”, “din” means “your” and shows that the evening belongs to or concerns the person being addressed. It comes before “aften”. A new example is “din familie” for “your family.”
håber In “Jeg håber, at alt er i orden”, “håber” means “hope” and expresses a wish for a good outcome. It introduces the following clause beginning with “at”. A new example is “Jeg håber, du kommer” for “I hope you come.”
alt In “alt er i orden”, “alt” means “everything” and refers to the overall situation. It is the subject of the statement about being all right. A new example is “Alt går godt” for “Everything is going well.”
i orden In “alt er i orden”, the whole expression means “everything is all right” or “okay”. “I” places the situation in a state, while “orden” contributes the idea of order or being okay. Use it to ask or say whether a person or situation is fine.
med In “i orden med din familie”, “med” links the state of being all right to the family concerned. The phrase means that everything is okay with the family. A new example is “Hvad sker der med dig?” for “What is happening with you?”
familie In “din familie”, “familie” means family and refers to the people close to the speaker. It follows “din”, which shows whose family is meant. A new example is “min familie” for “my family.”

Grammar Points

være nødt til at + infinitiv

Jeg er nødt til at aflyse aftalen.

yai air nurt til uh-FLOO-suh AF-day-lun.

I have to cancel the appointment.

Nødt til udtrykker nødvendighed og efterfølges af at plus verbets infinitiv.

så snart + ledsætning

Så snart problemet er opstået, skriver jeg.

soh snart proh-BLAY-muhd air op-STOH-ud, SGREE-vuh yai.

As soon as the problem has arisen, I will write.

Så snart indleder en tidsledsætning. På dansk står verbet før subjektet i hovedsætningen efter kommaet.

Danish Vocabulary

aflyse verb
uh-FLOO-suh cancel
aftale noun
AF-day-luh appointment; arrangement
Gender
common
akut adj
uh-GOOD urgent; acute
forstår verb
foh-STOR understand
hjemmefra adv
YEM-uh-frah from home
ked af det phrase
kay uh day sorry; upset
nødt til phrase
nurt til have to; be obliged to
opstået verb
op-STOH-ud arisen; come up
problem noun
proh-BLEM problem; issue
Gender
neuter
skete verb
SGAY-duh happened
virkelig adv
VAIR-klee really; truly
ærgerligt adj
AIR-uh-lee disappointing; unfortunate

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

cancel

Show Answeraflyse

happened

Show Answerskete

disappointing; unfortunate

Show Answerærgerligt

arisen; come up

Show Answeropstået