The idea
“Dazwischenkommen” is a verb of movement, so its perfect uses sein: “ist dazwischengekommen”. The affected person is in the dative (mir, uns), and “etwas” is the subject. The phrase signals a real reason without explaining it, which most Germans accept. Konjunktiv II “könnte” makes the new suggestion sound like an offer rather than a demand.
Other ways to say it
“Bei mir ist leider etwas dazwischengekommen.” – Neutral; “bei mir” is a very common variant of mir.
“Ich muss unser Treffen morgen leider absagen.” – Neutral and direct; clear in writing.
“Mir ist kurzfristig etwas Wichtiges dazwischengekommen, tut mir leid.” – Polite and apologetic; “kurzfristig” stresses the short notice.
Examples
- Für morgen ist mir leider etwas dazwischengekommen.Unfortunately, something has come up for tomorrow.
- Betrifft das unser Treffen am Nachmittag?Does that affect our afternoon meeting?
- Ja, diesen Zeitraum kann ich nicht mehr freihalten.Yes, I can no longer keep that time free.
- Möchtest du einen neuen Vorschlag machen?Would you like to make a new suggestion?
- Ich könnte stattdessen am Donnerstag nachkommen.I could come on Thursday instead.
- Dann prüfen wir diesen Ersatztermin gemeinsam.Then let us check that alternative date together.
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Watch out
“Ich habe etwas dazwischengekommen.” → “Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.”: Learners keep ich as the subject, as in English “I have something”. In German “etwas” is the subject, the person is dative, and the perfect auxiliary is sein.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Unfortunately, something has come up for tomorrow.
Show answer or example answer
Für morgen ist mir leider etwas dazwischengekommen.
“Für morgen” fills position one, then “ist”; “mir” is dative, “leider” softens, and the participle “dazwischengekommen” closes the clause.
Put the words in order: diesen / freihalten / ich / Ja / kann / mehr / nicht / Zeitraum
Show answer or example answer
Ja, diesen Zeitraum kann ich nicht mehr freihalten.
“Diesen Zeitraum” is the accusative object placed first; “kann” stays second. “Freihalten” (to keep free) stays together after the modal; “nicht mehr” means no longer.
Write this sentence in German: Then let us check that alternative date together.
Show answer or example answer
Dann prüfen wir diesen Ersatztermin gemeinsam.
“Dann” opens the sentence, so “prüfen wir” follows. “Ersatztermin” is a compound: a replacement appointment. “Gemeinsam” makes it a joint decision.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Unfortunately, something has come up for tomorrow.
Für morgen ist mir leider etwas dazwischengekommen.
Put the words in order: diesen / freihalten / ich / Ja / kann / mehr / nicht / Zeitraum
Ja, diesen Zeitraum kann ich nicht mehr freihalten.
Write this sentence in German: Then let us check that alternative date together.
Dann prüfen wir diesen Ersatztermin gemeinsam.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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You must cancel a dentist appointment for tomorrow. Write a short message saying something has come up and propose a new day.