How do you say "Is this seat taken?" in Japanese?

"Is this seat taken?" in Japanese is "この席は空いていますか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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

Q: What does "この席は空いていますか。" mean in English?

"この席は空いていますか。" means "Is this seat taken?" in English. Usage tip: [空いていますか] means "is it empty / available?" so it's useful beyond seats too. For example, [このトイレは空いていますか] asks if this restroom is free.

この席は空いていますか。

kono seki wa ai te i masu ka

[koh-noh seh-kee wah ah-ee teh ee mahss kah]

💬 Usage Tip: [空いていますか] means "is it empty / available?" so it's useful beyond seats too. For example, [このトイレは空いていますか] asks if this restroom is free.

Phrase Breakdown

この

kono

[koh-noh]

this

Used before a noun to mean 'this' near the speaker.

Example

この席はきれいです。

This seat is clean.

席

seki

[seh-kee]

seat

A seat, chair, or place to sit.

Example

席を予約しました。

I reserved a seat.

は

[wah]

topic marker

Particle marking the topic of the sentence.

Example

その席は使えます。

That seat can be used.

空い

[ah-ee]

open / vacant

From 空く, this stem means something is free, open, or vacant.

Example

席が空いています。

The seat is available.

て

[teh]

and / -te form

Part of the ～ている form used for ongoing state.

Example

見てください。

Please look.

い

[ee]

to be

Part of ～ています, describing a current state.

Example

そこにいます。

He/She is there.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite verb ending

A polite verb ending.

Example

空いています。

It is open / available.

か

[kah]

question marker

Sentence-ending particle marking a question.

Example

ここですか。

Is it here?

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