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Decline an invitation in French: write a clear, friendly reply

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Practise declining a friend’s invitation in French. Thank them, give a clear answer and suggest a separate plan, with a model reply and quick questions.

In short

Thank your friend, then say clearly that you cannot come: Merci pour ton invitation, mais je ne peux pas venir samedi. Add a brief reason and a warm closing. When you suggest another outing, give it its own day and activity.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Salut Lina ! Je fête mon anniversaire samedi à 19 heures chez moi. Tu veux venir ? Dis-moi avant jeudi. Adam

Hi Lina! I’m celebrating my birthday at my place on Saturday at 7 pm. Would you like to come? Let me know before Thursday. Adam

A2 · Short-message writing practiceNot an official exam paper

Votre ami Adam vous invite à son anniversaire samedi soir. Vous travaillez jusqu’à 21 heures et vous ne pouvez pas venir. Remerciez-le, expliquez la situation et proposez un café dimanche après-midi.

(60 mots minimum)

Your friend Adam invites you to his birthday on Saturday evening. You work until 9 pm and cannot attend. Thank him, explain and suggest coffee on Sunday afternoon.

Your answer

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Read a model answer

Salut Adam !

Merci beaucoup pour ton invitation. Malheureusement, je ne peux pas venir à ton anniversaire samedi soir : je travaille jusqu’à 21 heures. Je suis désolée de manquer ta fête. J’espère que tu vas passer une très bonne soirée avec tes amis ! Est-ce que tu es libre dimanche après-midi ? On peut prendre un café ensemble à 15 heures. Dis-moi si cela te convient.

Bon anniversaire et à bientôt !

Lina

Review your draft

Before you finish

A self-review aid, not an exam mark. Ticks are not saved.

Choose the answer you mean
PurposeFrenchMeaning
DeclineJe ne peux pas venir samedi.I cannot come on Saturday.
Keep the answer openJe te confirme demain.I’ll confirm tomorrow.
Keep the reason generalJ’ai déjà quelque chose de prévu.I already have something planned.
Suggest another dayDimanche, ça te convient ?Does Sunday suit you?

A short everyday refusal can end after Merci pour l’invitation, mais je ne peux pas venir. Bonne soirée ! In the task above, add the reason and Sunday coffee because the instructions ask for them. Keep the two plans separate: Adam’s birthday is Saturday; your proposed coffee is Sunday.

Choose an outing for a different day

Question 1No account needed
Which sentence gives Adam a clear refusal?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je ne peux pas venir samedi soir.. Je ne peux pas venir clearly declines the event. The Sunday question proposes another plan.

Question 2No account needed
Why does Lina write désolée?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

She is the female writer.. The adjective agrees with the person expressing regret: Lina writes désolée.

Question 3No account needed
What happens to the birthday party in Lina’s reply?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

It stays on Saturday; coffee is a separate proposal.. Lina declines Saturday’s birthday and suggests a different activity for Sunday.

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