Making a Phone Call to Cancel Plans in Korean

Knowing how to politely cancel plans is an essential communication skill, especially when interacting in Korean culture where maintaining good relationships is important. This guide provides key Korean phrases and cultural insights for making a phone call to cancel an appointment or meeting (약속 취소 전화하기 – yak-sok chwi-so jeon-hwa-ha-gi) respectfully and effectively.

Core Expression

• Expression: 약속을 취소하다
  Pronunciation: yak-so-geul chwi-so-ha-da
  Meaning: To cancel plans / an appointment

Initiating the Call and Stating the Purpose

• Expression: 여보세요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo?
  Meaning: Hello? (Used when answering or starting a phone call)
• Expression: 안녕하세요, [이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Hello, this is [Name].
• Expression: [상대방 이름] 씨 계신가요?
  Pronunciation: [sang-dae-bang i-reum] ssi gye-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is [Person’s Name] there? (Formal)
• Expression: [상대방 이름] 씨, 저 [본인 이름]인데요.
  Pronunciation: [sang-dae-bang i-reum] ssi, jeo [bo-nin i-reum]-in-de-yo.
  Meaning: [Person’s Name], it’s [My Name]. (Slightly less formal introduction)
• Expression: 지금 통화 괜찮으세요?
  Pronunciation: ji-geum tong-hwa gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Is it a good time to talk now?
• Expression: 다름이 아니라, 약속 때문에 전화드렸어요.
  Pronunciation: da-reu-mi a-ni-ra, yak-sok ttae-mu-ne jeon-hwa-deu-ryeo-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: The reason I’m calling is about our appointment.
• Expression: 오늘/내일 약속 말인데요…
  Pronunciation: o-neul/nae-il yak-sok ma-rin-de-yo…
  Meaning: About our plans for today/tomorrow…
• Expression: 혹시 [날짜/시간] 약속 기억하세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si [nal-jja/si-gan] yak-sok gi-eo-ka-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you happen to remember our appointment on [Date/Time]?
• Expression: 드릴 말씀이 있어서 전화했어요.
  Pronunciation: deu-ril mal-sseu-mi i-sseo-seo jeon-hwa-hae-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I called because I have something to tell you.
• Expression: 약속 관련해서 연락드렸습니다.
  Pronunciation: yak-sok gwal-lyeon-hae-seo yeol-lak-deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I’m contacting you regarding our appointment. (Formal)

Explaining the Reason for Cancellation

• Expression: 죄송하지만 약속을 취소해야 할 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man yak-so-geul chwi-so-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: I’m sorry, but I think I need to cancel our plans.
• Expression: 정말 미안한데, 오늘 못 갈 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal mi-an-han-de, o-neul mot gal geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can make it today.
• Expression: 갑자기 일이 생겨서요.
  Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi i-ri saeng-gyeo-seo-yo.
  Meaning: Something came up suddenly. (Common and polite vague reason)
• Expression: 몸이 좀 안 좋아서요.
  Pronunciation: mo-mi jom an jo-a-seo-yo.
  Meaning: I’m not feeling well.
• Expression: 급한 일이 생겨서 약속을 지키기 어려울 것 같습니다.
  Pronunciation: geu-pan i-ri saeng-gyeo-seo yak-so-geul ji-ki-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Something urgent came up, so it seems difficult to keep our appointment. (Formal)
• Expression: 다른 약속이 겹쳐서요.
  Pronunciation: da-reun yak-so-gi gyeop-chyeo-seo-yo.
  Meaning: I have another overlapping appointment.
• Expression: 개인적인 사정으로 참석하기 어렵게 되었습니다.
  Pronunciation: gae-in-jeo-gin sa-jeong-eu-ro cham-seo-ka-gi eo-ryeop-ge doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Due to personal reasons, it has become difficult for me to attend. (Formal)
• Expression: 피치 못할 사정이 생겼어요.
  Pronunciation: pi-chi mot-hal sa-jeong-i saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: Unavoidable circumstances have arisen.
• Expression: 가족 행사가 있어서요.
  Pronunciation: ga-jok haeng-sa-ga i-sseo-seo-yo.
  Meaning: I have a family event.
• Expression: 회사 일 때문에 어려울 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: hoe-sa il ttae-mu-ne eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: It seems difficult because of work.
• Expression: 늦게 알려드려서 죄송합니다.
  Pronunciation: neut-ge al-lyeo-deu-ryeo-seo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I apologize for letting you know late.

Apologizing and Rescheduling

• Expression: 정말 죄송합니다. / 정말 미안해요.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal joe-song-ham-ni-da. / jeong-mal mi-an-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I am truly sorry. (Formal / Informal)
• Expression: 다음에 꼭 만나요.
  Pronunciation: da-eu-me kkok man-na-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s definitely meet next time.
• Expression: 다음에 제가 식사 대접할게요.
  Pronunciation: da-eu-me je-ga sik-sa dae-jeo-pal-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll treat you to a meal next time.
• Expression: 혹시 다른 날은 괜찮으세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun na-reun gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Would another day perhaps be okay?
• Expression: 시간 괜찮으실 때 다시 연락 주세요.
  Pronunciation: si-gan gwaen-cha-neu-sil ttae da-si yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please contact me again when you have time.
• Expression: 다음에 다시 약속 잡아요.
  Pronunciation: da-eu-me da-si yak-sok ja-ba-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s reschedule for next time.
• Expression: 괜찮으시면 다음 주에 뵐까요?
  Pronunciation: gwaen-cha-neu-si-myeon da-eum ju-e boel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: If it’s okay with you, shall we meet next week?
• Expression: 일정 다시 조율해 봐요.
  Pronunciation: il-jeong da-si jo-yul-hae bwa-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s readjust the schedule.
• Expression: 이해해 주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: i-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for your understanding.
• Expression: 다음에 더 좋은 모습으로 뵐게요.
  Pronunciation: da-eu-me deo jo-eun mo-seu-beu-ro boel-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll see you next time in better condition / circumstances. (Implies you’ll make up for it)
• Expression: 다시 연락드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: da-si yeol-lak-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will contact you again. (Formal)

Korean Culture Notes

Timeliness is Key: In Korea, it’s considered polite to cancel plans as far in advance as possible. Last-minute cancellations, while sometimes unavoidable, should be accompanied by a sincere apology.

Phone Call vs. Text: For more formal relationships (e.g., business associates, seniors) or important appointments, a phone call is generally preferred over a text message for cancellations. Texting might be acceptable for close friends or casual plans, but calling shows more respect and sincerity.

Provide a Reason (Briefly): While you don’t need to go into excessive detail, providing a brief reason for cancellation (e.g., 갑자기 일이 생겨서요 – gap-ja-gi i-ri saeng-gyeo-seo-yo / “Something came up suddenly”, 몸이 안 좋아서요 – mo-mi an jo-a-seo-yo / “I’m not feeling well”) is considered polite. It shows you aren’t cancelling frivolously.

Apologize Sincerely: A clear and sincere apology is crucial. Use phrases like 정말 죄송합니다 (jeong-mal joe-song-ham-ni-da) or 정말 미안해요 (jeong-mal mi-an-hae-yo).

Suggest Rescheduling: Offering to reschedule (다음에 다시 약속 잡아요 – da-eu-me da-si yak-sok ja-ba-yo) shows that you still value the relationship and intend to meet in the future. This softens the cancellation.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Minjun needs to call his friend Sora to cancel their dinner plans for the evening because he suddenly has to work late.

Roles: A: Minjun (민준), B: Sora (소라)

• Expression: A: 여보세요? 소라야, 나 민준이야.
  Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo? so-ra-ya, na min-ju-ni-ya.
  Meaning: A: Hello? Sora, it’s Minjun.
• Expression: B: 어, 민준아. 무슨 일이야?
  Pronunciation: eo, min-ju-na. mu-seun i-ri-ya?
  Meaning: B: Oh, Minjun. What’s up?
• Expression: A: 다름이 아니라, 오늘 저녁 약속 때문에 전화했어. 정말 미안한데, 오늘 못 갈 것 같아.
  Pronunciation: da-reu-mi a-ni-ra, o-neul jeo-nyeok yak-sok ttae-mu-ne jeon-hwa-hae-sseo. jeong-mal mi-an-han-de, o-neul mot gal geot ga-ta.
  Meaning: A: It’s about our dinner plans tonight. I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can make it today.
• Expression: B: 어? 정말? 왜? 무슨 일 있어?
  Pronunciation: eo? jeong-mal? wae? mu-seun il i-sseo?
  Meaning: B: Oh? Really? Why? Did something happen?
• Expression: A: 응, 회사에 갑자기 급한 일이 생겨서 야근해야 할 것 같아. 늦게 알려줘서 정말 미안해.
  Pronunciation: eung, hoe-sa-e gap-ja-gi geu-pan i-ri saeng-gyeo-seo ya-geun-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta. neut-ge al-lyeo-jwo-seo jeong-mal mi-an-hae.
  Meaning: A: Yeah, something urgent came up at work, so it looks like I have to work late. I’m really sorry for letting you know so late.
• Expression: B: 아, 그렇구나. 알겠어. 괜찮아, 일 때문이라니 어쩔 수 없지.
  Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-ku-na. al-ge-sseo. gwaen-cha-na, il ttae-mu-ni-ra-ni eo-jjeol su eop-ji.
  Meaning: B: Ah, I see. Okay. It’s alright, if it’s because of work, it can’t be helped.
• Expression: A: 정말 미안. 대신 다음에 내가 맛있는 거 사줄게. 혹시 다음 주 시간 괜찮아?
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal mi-an. dae-sin da-eu-me nae-ga ma-sin-neun geo sa-jul-ge. hok-si da-eum ju si-gan gwaen-cha-na?
  Meaning: A: I’m really sorry. I’ll treat you to something delicious next time instead. Are you perhaps free next week?
• Expression: B: 음, 다음 주? 좋아. 그럼 다음 주에 다시 연락해서 시간 정하자. 일 잘 마무리하고!
  Pronunciation: eum, da-eum ju? jo-a. geu-reom da-eum ju-e da-si yeol-la-kae-seo si-gan jeong-ha-ja. il jal ma-mu-ri-ha-go!
  Meaning: B: Hmm, next week? Sounds good. Let’s get in touch again next week and set a time then. Finish your work well!
• Expression: A: 응, 고마워! 이해해 줘서 고맙다! 다시 연락할게.
  Pronunciation: eung, go-ma-wo! i-hae-hae jwo-seo go-map-da! da-si yeol-la-kal-ge.
  Meaning: A: Yeah, thanks! Thanks for understanding! I’ll contact you again.

Practice Tips

Cancelling plans over the phone can feel daunting, but practice makes perfect! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Focus on using polite language and clearly stating your reason and apology. Listen to Korean dramas or videos where characters cancel plans to hear these phrases used naturally. Don’t be afraid to make the call when necessary – it’s much better than not showing up! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!