Portuguese Phrase
Infelizmente, já tenho outro compromisso nessa hora.
Meaning
The speaker is expressing regret that they cannot attend because they already have a different appointment scheduled for the same time. The word ‘infelizmente’ softens the refusal, showing politeness. It is a standard way to decline an invitation or a meeting without sounding abrupt.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to turn down a request, invitation, or meeting because you are already booked. It works in both formal (business) and informal (friend) contexts, as long as you want to sound courteous and clear about the scheduling conflict.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Infelizmentejátenhooutrocompromissonessahora
Infelizmente
Adverb meaning ‘unfortunately’; placed at the beginning of the sentence to express regret.
já
Adverb of time meaning ‘already’; it normally appears before the verb (já tenho).
tenho
First‑person singular present of ter ‘to have’; used here to indicate possession of an appointment.
outro
Indefinite adjective meaning ‘another’; agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
compromisso
Masculine noun meaning ‘appointment, commitment, engagement’. Commonly used in professional or social scheduling.
nessa hora
Contraction of ‘em + esta hora’; means ‘at that time/at that hour’. The preposition ‘em’ contracts with the demonstrative ‘esta’.
🗨In Conversation
Você poderia participar da reunião às 15h?
Could you join the meeting at 3 p.m.?
Infelizmente, já tenho outro compromisso nessa hora.
Unfortunately, I already have another appointment at that time.
✕Common Mistakes
Infelizmente, já tenho outro compromisso a essa hora.
The correct preposition is ‘em’, which contracts with ‘esta’ to form ‘nessa’.
Infelizmente, já tenho outro compromisso nessa horário.
‘Horário’ is masculine; you must say ‘nesse horário’, not ‘nessa horário’.
Infelizmente já tenho outro compromisso nessa hora.
Missing the comma after ‘Infelizmente’ can make the sentence feel rushed; the pause is important for tone.
↔Alternatives
Desculpe, mas já tenho outro compromisso nesse horário.
Sorry, but I already have another commitment at that time.
Lamento, porém já estou comprometido nessa hora.
I’m sorry, but I’m already committed at that hour.
Infelizmente não poderei, pois tenho outro compromisso às 15h.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to, because I have another appointment at 3 p.m.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese it is common to preface a refusal with ‘infelizmente’ or ‘desculpe’ to keep the tone polite. Brazilians value punctuality, so mentioning the exact time (e.g., ‘às 15h’) shows respect for the other person’s schedule. Avoid sounding overly abrupt; a brief apology softens the message.