A2 Expression ニュートラル

약속 있어요.

Yaksok isseoyo.

I have an appointment.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to politely decline an invitation or explain why you are unavailable for a meeting.

  • Means: I have a prior engagement or meeting.
  • Used in: Declining invitations, explaining lateness, or setting boundaries.
  • Don't confuse: '약속' (promise/appointment) with '계획' (plan/intention).
Calendar icon + Waving hand = Polite refusal

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'I have an appointment.' Use it when you are busy. It is very useful for saying no to friends.
This is a standard expression to indicate a prior commitment. It is socially polite and helps you decline invitations without providing specific details about your schedule.
This expression functions as a social buffer. By stating you have an existing commitment, you invoke a cultural norm that prioritizes prior obligations, allowing for a graceful exit from social requests.
The phrase serves as a pragmatic tool for boundary setting. In Korean social discourse, '약속' acts as a placeholder for any external commitment, effectively neutralizing the pressure to justify one's unavailability.
Linguistically, '약속이 있어요' utilizes the existential verb '있다' to establish a state of unavailability. It is a prime example of how Korean speakers utilize vague, socially-coded language to maintain harmony while asserting personal boundaries.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, this phrase exemplifies the 'politeness strategy' of minimizing imposition. By citing an external '약속', the speaker externalizes the cause of refusal, thereby mitigating the potential face-threatening act of rejecting an invitation.

意味

Stating that one has a prior engagement or meeting.

🌍

文化的背景

Punctuality is highly valued. Having a '약속' means you are expected to be there on time. Similar to Korea, 'yakusoku' is a serious commitment. Americans might be more specific about *what* the plans are (e.g., 'I have a dentist appointment'). Social commitments are often flexible, but 'I have an appointment' is still a valid excuse.

💡

Be Vague

You don't need to say what the '약속' is. Just saying you have one is enough.

⚠️

Don't Lie Too Much

If you use this excuse every time, people will stop inviting you.

意味

Stating that one has a prior engagement or meeting.

💡

Be Vague

You don't need to say what the '약속' is. Just saying you have one is enough.

⚠️

Don't Lie Too Much

If you use this excuse every time, people will stop inviting you.

自分をテスト

Fill in the correct particle.

오늘 저녁에 약속___ 있어요.

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: 이

약속 is the subject of the existential verb 있다, so it takes the subject particle 이.

Which is the most polite way to say this to a boss?

Choose the best option.

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: 약속이 있습니다.

습니다 is the formal polite ending appropriate for a boss.

Match the situation to the response.

Friend: 'Let's go to the cafe.'

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: 약속이 있어요.

This is a polite way to decline the invitation.

🎉 スコア： /3

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よくある質問

2 問

Yes, it is very common in professional settings.

No, it is the standard polite way to decline.

関連フレーズ

🔗

선약이 있어요

specialized form

I have a prior engagement.

🔗

일이 있어요

similar

I have work/things to do.

🔗

약속을 잡다

builds on

To make an appointment.

🔗

약속을 지키다

builds on

To keep a promise.

どこで使う？

👋

Declining a friend

Friend: 오늘 영화 보러 갈래?

You: 미안, 오늘 약속 있어.

informal
👔

Professional meeting

Client: 내일 오후 2시에 미팅 가능하세요?

You: 죄송합니다. 그때는 이미 약속이 있습니다.

formal
🏃

Running late

Friend: 어디야?

You: 약속이 있어서 조금 늦을 것 같아.

neutral
📱

Dating app

Match: 오늘 저녁에 만날까요?

You: 죄송해요, 오늘 약속이 있어요.

informal
🏠

Family request

Mom: 오늘 저녁에 장 보러 가자.

You: 엄마, 미안한데 오늘 약속이 있어요.

neutral
🍱

Colleague lunch

Colleague: 점심 같이 먹을까요?

You: 아, 죄송해요. 오늘 약속이 있어요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'YAK' (약) wearing a 'SOCK' (속) on its head, saying 'I have a meeting!'

Visual Association

Imagine a calendar page with a big red 'X' on it. You are pointing at it and shaking your head politely.

Rhyme

약속 있어요, 나 바빠요.

Story

Min-su is invited to a party. He doesn't want to go. He looks at his empty calendar, then looks at his friend. He says '약속 있어요' and walks away to read a book.

Word Web

약속있다없다선약일정시간

チャレンジ

For one day, if anyone asks you to do something, use '약속 있어요' as your polite refusal.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tengo un compromiso.

Korean '약속' is slightly more flexible than 'compromiso'.

French moderate

J'ai un empêchement.

French sounds slightly more formal/bureaucratic.

German high

Ich habe schon etwas vor.

German is more descriptive of the 'plan' itself.

Japanese high

約束があります。

None, they are effectively cognates.

Arabic moderate

عندي موعد.

Arabic 'maw'id' is more often used for formal appointments.

Chinese high

我有约了。

Chinese '约' is very versatile.

Korean self

약속이 있어요.

N/A

Portuguese high

Tenho um compromisso.

None.

Easily Confused

약속 있어요. 対 계획이 있어요

Learners think 'plan' means 'appointment'.

계획 is a personal intention (e.g., 'I plan to study'), while 약속 is a social commitment.

よくある質問 (2)

Yes, it is very common in professional settings.

No, it is the standard polite way to decline.

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