I'm sorry, I can't come.
Stress 'DIS-pia-ce' on the first syllable. The 'ce' sounds like 'cheh'.
Use this as a basic, polite way to cancel any plan. It works in both formal and informal contexts and is suitable when you don't want to give many details.
This is one of the most essential phrases for cancelling plans in Italian. 'Mi dispiace' literally means 'it displeases me' and functions as 'I'm sorry'. 'Non posso venire' means 'I cannot come'. Together they form a complete, polite cancellation.
Mi dispiace, non riesco a venire.
I'm sorry, I can't manage to come.
Slightly softer — implies you tried but it didn't work out
Purtroppo non posso venire.
Unfortunately I can't come.
'Purtroppo' adds emphasis and sounds more apologetic
Mi dispiace tanto, non posso venire.
I'm really sorry, I can't come.
'Tanto' intensifies the apology — use when you feel genuinely bad
Italians often follow up a cancellation with an immediate proposal for an alternative date. Cancelling without offering a new plan can feel abrupt or even rude in close social circles.