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How to Say ‘Excuse me, is this seat free?’ in Japanese

すみません、ここ、空いてますか？

sumi mase n koko ai te masu ka

[soo-mee mah-seh n koko ai te mahs kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: In a Japanese bar, asking about the seat next to someone is a natural, low-pressure opener. It gives the other person an easy way to start chatting or to just nod and go back to their drink.

Phrase Breakdown

すみません、

sumi mase n

Excuse me,

A polite way to get someone's attention. Say it su-mi-ma-sen.

Example

すみません、駅はどこですか？

Excuse me, where is the station?

Words in this phrase

すみ

sumi

[soo-mee]

excuse me; sorry

A polite attention-getter and light apology. Used to call a pharmacist/staff or to be polite before asking for help.

Example

すみません、薬剤師さん。

Excuse me, pharmacist.

ませ

mase

[mah-seh]

polite negative (part of ません)

「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.

Example

はいていません。

I haven’t vomited.

ん

[n]

negative ending

The final sound completing the negative polite form.

Example

一人は魚が食べられません。

One person cannot eat fish.

ここ、空いてますか？

koko ai te masu ka

is this seat free?

ここ means 'here', and 空いてますか asks if it's available. Raise your pitch at the end.

Example

となり、空いてますか？

Is the seat next to you free?

Words in this phrase

ここ

koko

[koko]

here

Referring to this place.

Example

ここが私の家です。

This is my home.

空い

[ai]

available; open

From 空く, meaning free or unoccupied.

Example

個室も空いていますか。

Is a private room also available?

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

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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