有约在先 (yǒu) — to have a prior engagement; as promised beforehand
Definition
A set phrase meaning 'already have a prior commitment / as previously agreed.' Polite way to decline an invitation or confirm a prior arrangement.
idiom
to have a prior engagementas promised beforehand
Examples
- ，有约在先，。Duì bu qǐ, wǒ yǒu, bù néng cān jiā nǐ de jù huì le.Sorry, I have a prior engagement and can't attend your party.
- 有约在先，。Wǒ men yǒu, jīn tiān xià wǔ sān diǎn jiàn miàn.We agreed beforehand to meet at 3 p.m. today.
- ，有约在先。Tā jù jué le wǒ de yāo qǐng, shuō yǐ jīng yǒu.He declined my invitation, saying he already had a prior engagement.
Appears in
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