有约在先 (yǒu) — to have a prior engagement; as promised beforeh…

Definição

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

，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.

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