How to Say ‘Is this seat free?’ in Japanese
ここ、空いてますか？
koko ai te masu ka
[koh-koh AH-ee teh mahs kah]
💬 Usage Tip: 空いてますか is the spoken form of 空いていますか. In everyday speech the い after て usually drops out, so you'll hear (aitemasu ka).
Phrase Breakdown
ここ
koko
[koh-koh]
here
ここ means "here," the place where the speaker is.
ここで待ってください。
Please wait here.
空い
ai
[AH-ee]
be free; be vacant
Stem of 空く, meaning a seat or space becomes empty or available.
この席は空いていますか。
Is this seat free?
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
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.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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