German Phrase
Tut mir leid, kann ich nicht. Ich hab schon was vor.
Meaning
Literally: “I’m sorry, I can’t. I already have something planned.” It is a polite way to decline an invitation or request, showing regret while giving a brief reason.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings—among friends, classmates, or coworkers you know well—when you need to turn down a proposal, a dinner invitation, or a request for help.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tutmirleid,kannichnicht.Ichhabschonwasvor.
Tut mir leid
A fixed expression meaning “I’m sorry”. The verb “tun” is used with the dative pronoun “mir” and the noun “Leid”.
Modalverb kann
The modal verb “kann” (can) is placed in second position; the subject “ich” follows it, and the infinitive “nicht” (negation) stays at the end.
Colloquial “hab”
“hab” is the spoken contraction of “habe”. It is common in informal conversation but should be avoided in formal writing.
etwas vorhaben
The phrase “was vor” is a short form of “etwas vorhaben” – to have something planned. The verb “vorhaben” is separable, so “vor” moves to the end.
🗨In Conversation
Möchtest du heute Abend mit uns ins Kino gehen?
Do you want to go to the cinema with us tonight?
Tut mir leid, kann ich nicht. Ich hab schon was vor.
I’m sorry, I can’t. I already have something planned.
✕Common Mistakes
Tut mir leid, ich kann nicht.
While grammatically correct, native speakers usually place the modal verb before the subject in a short refusal: “Tut mir leid, kann ich nicht.”
Ich habe schon was vor.
In informal speech “hab” is preferred; using the full “habe” sounds overly formal in a casual setting.
Ich hab schon was voren.
The verb “vorhaben” is separable; the particle “vor” must stay at the end of the clause.
↔Alternatives
Entschuldigung, das geht nicht. Ich habe bereits etwas vor.
Sorry, that won’t work. I already have something planned.
Leider kann ich nicht, ich bin schon verabredet.
Unfortunately I can’t, I’m already meeting someone.
Sorry, ich habe schon etwas vor.
Sorry, I already have something planned.
Cultural Tip
In German, “Tut mir leid” is slightly less formal than “Entschuldigung”. It’s perfectly acceptable among peers, but in a business context you might prefer the more formal “Entschuldigen Sie”. Also, remember that “hab” is colloquial; switch to “habe” when speaking with strangers or in written communication.