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How to Say ‘Is it free?’ in Japanese

空いていますか？

ai te i masu ka

[AH-ee teh ee mahs kah]

💬 Usage Tip: 空いて is said (aite), and the い in いますか often gets squeezed so it sounds like (aitemasu ka). The same word 空く also describes an empty train or a free schedule.

Phrase Breakdown

空い

[AH-ee]

to be free; to be available (vacant)

Form of 空く (aku), meaning a seat, table or time slot is open and not taken.

Example

今夜の席は空いていますか。

Are there any seats available tonight?

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

い

[ee]

be; ongoing state part

Part of the continuous form that shows an action is currently happening.

Example

今も条件を比べている最中です。

I am still in the middle of comparing conditions.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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