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How to Say ‘Do you have a moment now?’ in Japanese

今、ちょっといいですか。

ima chotto ii desu ka

[ima choht-toh ee dess kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard way to interrupt a coworker at their desk before asking anything. It signals that you know you're taking their time, and it's polite enough for a senior colleague.

Phrase Breakdown

今、ちょっと

ima chotto

now, a little

今 (ima) means 'now'. ちょっと (chotto) means 'a little' and softens a request. Hold the small っ as a short pause before 'to'.

Example

今、ちょっと忙しいです。

I'm a little busy right now.

Words in this phrase

今

ima

[ima]

now

At the present time or moment.

Example

今、何をしていますか？

What are you doing now?

ちょっと

chotto

[choht-toh]

a little; a bit

A very common adverb meaning “a little” or “a bit,” often used to soften statements.

Example

ちょっと静かな場所がいいです。

A slightly quieter place would be nice.

いいですか。

ii desu ka

is it okay?

A polite way to ask permission. Say いい as a long 'ii'. The 'u' in desu is almost silent: 'des-ka'.

Example

ここに座ってもいいですか。

May I sit here?

Words in this phrase

いい

[ee]

good; okay

A common word for something being good, fine, or acceptable.

Example

その形でいいです。

That shape is fine.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

Polite form of 'to be' used in many basic sentences.

Example

こちらで大丈夫です。

This is fine.

か

[kah]

question particle

か is placed at the end of a sentence to mark it as a question in polite Japanese.

Example

先生ですか。

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