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How to Say ‘Is this seat free?’ in Japanese

ここ、空いていますか。

koko ai te i masu ka

[ko-ko ah-ee teh ee mahss kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a natural way to ask if the seat next to someone is free at a bar. In Japan, asking before sitting is a small but important bit of politeness in a shared space.

Phrase Breakdown

ここ

koko

[ko-ko]

here; this place

Points to the nearby seat or place you want to ask about.

Example

ここ、空いていますかと丁寧に聞きました。

I politely asked, "Is this spot open?"

空いていますか

ai te i masu ka

Is it vacant/available?

Used to ask whether a seat, space, or time slot is free.

Example

この席、空いていますか。

Is this seat free?

Words in this phrase

空い

ai

[ah-ee]

empty; available

Describes a seat or space as being open.

Example

ここ、空いていますかと席を見ながら聞きました。

I asked, "Is this spot open?" while looking at the seat.

て

te

[teh]

and; -te form connector

Connects the verb stem to the continuing polite form.

Example

隣の席が空いているか見ました。

I checked whether the seat next to me was open.

い

i

[ee]

to be

Part of the polite ongoing/state expression います.

Example

その席は空いています。

That seat is open.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite verb ending

Makes the question sound courteous, useful with strangers.

Example

ここ、空いていますかと聞くのは丁寧です。

Asking "Is this spot open?" is polite.

か

ka

[kah]

question marker

Shows that the speaker is asking a question.

Example

ここ、空いていますかと最初に聞きます。

First, you ask, "Is this spot open?"

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