Asking if someone is free

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TL;DR 🦄

🕐 시간 있어요? [si-gan i-sseo-yo?] — "Do you have time?"

📅 오늘 시간 돼요? [o-neul si-gan dwae-yo?] — "Are you free today?"

🆓 한가해요 [han-ga-hae-yo] — "I'm free / not busy"

📌 약속이 있어요 [yak-so-gi i-sseo-yo] — "I have plans/an appointment"

🤔 언제가 좋아요? [eon-je-ga jo-a-yo?] — "When works for you?"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice asking about availability at the Korean Helper Widgets — great for setting up real meetups! 📅

🌈 The Big Picture

The phrase 시간 있어요? [si-gan i-sseo-yo?] ("do you have time?") is the gateway to making plans in Korean. The answer is usually either 네, 시간 있어요 ("yes, I have time") or 아니요, 약속이 있어요 ("no, I have plans"). Adding a time word like 오늘 ("today") or 이번 주말 ("this weekend") makes the question specific. 🗓️

🎭 Free, Busy, or Flexible?

There's a spectrum between "free" and "busy" in Korean:

한가해요 [han-ga-hae-yo] — "I'm free/idle" (plenty of time) 🆓

시간 괜찮아요 [si-gan gwaen-cha-na-yo] — "My schedule is okay" 👍

좀 바빠요 [jom ba-ppa-yo] — "I'm a bit busy" 😅

시간이 안 돼요 [si-ga-ni an dwae-yo] — "I don't have time / it doesn't work" 🙅

다른 날은 어때요? [da-reun na-reun eo-ttae-yo?] — "How about another day?" 🔄

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

시간 있어요? [si-gan i-sseo-yo?] — do you have time? 🕐

오늘 시간 돼요? [o-neul si-gan dwae-yo?] — are you free today? 📅

한가해요 [han-ga-hae-yo] — I'm free 🆓

약속이 있어요 [yak-so-gi i-sseo-yo] — I have plans 📌

언제가 좋아요? [eon-je-ga jo-a-yo?] — when works for you? 🤔

이번 주말 [i-beon ju-mal] — this weekend 🌅

시간이 안 돼요 [si-ga-ni an dwae-yo] — it doesn't work for me 🙅

다른 날은 어때요? [da-reun na-reun eo-ttae-yo?] — how about another day? 🔄

몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?] — what time should we meet? ⏰

잠깐 시간 돼요? [jam-kkan si-gan dwae-yo?] — do you have a moment? ⌛

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 이번 주말에 시간 있어요? B: 네, 토요일은 한가해요. [A: i-beon ju-ma-re si-gan i-sseo-yo? B: ne, to-yo-i-reun han-ga-hae-yo.]

A: "Do you have time this weekend?" B: "Yes, I'm free on Saturday." 🆓 — 이번 주말 = "this weekend."

A: 오늘 저녁에 시간 돼요? B: 아니요, 오늘은 약속이 있어요. 내일은 어때요? [A: o-neul jeo-nyeo-ge si-gan dwae-yo? B: a-ni-yo, o-neu-reun yak-so-gi i-sseo-yo. nae-i-reun eo-ttae-yo?]

A: "Are you free this evening?" B: "No, I have plans today. How about tomorrow?" 📌 — suggesting an alternative keeps the plan alive.

A: 잠깐 시간 돼요? 얘기 좀 하고 싶어서요. B: 네, 지금 괜찮아요. [A: jam-kkan si-gan dwae-yo? yae-gi jom ha-go si-peo-seo-yo. B: ne, ji-geum gwaen-cha-na-yo.]

A: "Do you have a moment? I'd like to talk." B: "Yes, now is fine." ⌛ — 얘기 좀 하고 싶어서요 = "because I'd like to talk a bit" explains why.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!

민수: 지은 씨, 이번 주에 시간 있어요? 같이 영화 보고 싶어서요.

[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, i-beon ju-e si-gan i-sseo-yo? ga-chi yeong-hwa bo-go si-peo-seo-yo.]

Minsu: "Jieun, do you have time this week? I'd like to watch a movie together."

지은: 좋아요! 그런데 평일은 좀 바빠요. 주말은 한가해요.

[Jieun: jo-a-yo! geu-reon-de pyeong-i-reun jom ba-ppa-yo. ju-ma-reun han-ga-hae-yo.]

Jieun: "Sounds good! But weekdays are a bit busy. I'm free on the weekend."

민수: 그럼 토요일은 어때요? 몇 시가 좋아요?

[Minsu: geu-reom to-yo-i-reun eo-ttae-yo? myeot si-ga jo-a-yo?]

Minsu: "Then how about Saturday? What time works?"

지은: 오후 3시쯔 어때요? 그때는 약속이 없어요.

[Jieun: o-hu se-si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo? geu-ttae-neun yak-so-gi eop-seo-yo.]

Jieun: "How about around 3 PM? I don't have plans then."

민수: 좋아요! 토요일 3시에 만나요.

[Minsu: jo-a-yo! to-yo-il se-si-e man-na-yo.]

Minsu: "Great! Let's meet at 3 on Saturday."

지은: 네, 그때 봐요!

[Jieun: ne, geu-ttae bwa-yo!]

Jieun: "Okay, see you then!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

When someone is busy, suggesting an alternative — 다른 날은 어때요? ("how about another day?") — keeps the conversation positive instead of just ending with "no." Korean speakers often add a reason with -아/어서 (e.g., 영화 보고 싶어서요 = "because I want to watch a movie") to make requests feel friendlier. 📅

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying 바빠요? ("are you busy?") when you mean to invite someone — it can sound like you're checking up on them → ✅ Use 시간 있어요? or 시간 돼요? to invite naturally.

❌ Confusing 한가하다 (free/idle, plenty of time) with 자유롭다 (free as in independence) → ✅ For scheduling, always use 한가하다 or 시간 있다/되다.

❌ Forgetting to specify a time → ✅ Add 오늘/이번 주말/이번 주 등 ("today/this weekend/this week") so the question is clear.

❌ Directly refusing without an alternative → ✅ Pair "no" with 다른 날은 어때요? to stay friendly.

You're all set to make plans in Korean — 약속 잡아 봐요! 📅✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the best phrase or answer for each situation.

1. Translate: "Do you have time?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

시간 있어요? [si-gan i-sseo-yo?]

2. Translate: "Are you free today?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

오늘 시간 돼요? [o-neul si-gan dwae-yo?]

3. Fill in: 토요일은 ＿＿＿＿해요. ("I'm free on Saturday.")

Answer

한가 [han-ga]

4. Translate: "I have plans." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

약속이 있어요 [yak-so-gi i-sseo-yo]

5. True or False: 시간이 안 돼요 means "it doesn't work for me."

Answer

True

6. Translate: "When works for you?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

언제가 좋아요? [eon-je-ga jo-a-yo?]

7. Fill in: 오늘은 안 되는데, ＿＿＿＿ 어때요? ("Today doesn't work, how about another day?")

Answer

다른 날은 [da-reun na-reun]

8. Translate: "Do you have a moment?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

잠깐 시간 돼요? [jam-kkan si-gan dwae-yo?]

9. True or False: 이번 주말 means "this weekend."

Answer

True

10. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주에 시간 있으면 같이 점심 먹어요. [i-beon ju-e si-gan i-sseu-myeon ga-chi jeom-sim meo-geo-yo.]

Answer

"If you have time this week, let's eat lunch together." → A friendly invitation!

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Vocabulary Box

시간 있다 [si-gan it-da] → have time

시간 되다 [si-gan doe-da] → be free/available

한가하다 [han-ga-ha-da] → be free/idle

약속 [yak-sok] → appointment/plans

바쁘다 [ba-ppeu-da] → be busy

이번 주말 [i-beon ju-mal] → this weekend

평일 [pyeong-il] → weekday

잠깐 [jam-kkan] → a moment

언제 [eon-je] → when

다른 날 [da-reun nal] → another day

Pitfalls 💡

시간 있어요? to invite

한가하다 ≠ 자유롭다

always add a time word

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Asking if Someone is Free (시간 있어요?)

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice making plans! 📅✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Asking and Answering 🕐

A. Translate: "Do you have time tomorrow?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

내일 시간 있어요? [nae-il si-gan i-sseo-yo?]

B. Translate: "Yes, I'm free." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 한가해요 [ne, han-ga-hae-yo]

C. Fill in: 오늘은 ＿＿＿＿이 있어서 안 돼요. ("Today doesn't work because I have plans.")

Answer

약속 [yak-sok]

D. True or False: 평일 means "weekend."

Answer

False → it means "weekday." 주말 = weekend.

E. Translate: "What time should we meet?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?]

F. Fill in: 언제가 ＿＿＿＿? ("When works for you?")

Answer

좋아요 [jo-a-yo]

G. True or False: 잠깐 means "a moment."

Answer

True

H. Translate: "I don't have time this week." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이번 주에는 시간이 없어요 [i-beon ju-e-neun si-ga-ni eop-seo-yo]

I. Fill in: 금요일은 어때요? 그날은 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요. ("How about Friday? I don't have plans that day.")

Answer

약속이 [yak-so-gi]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주말에 시간 되면 같이 카페 가요. [i-beon ju-ma-re si-gan doe-myeon ga-chi ka-pe ga-yo.]

Answer

"If you're free this weekend, let's go to a cafe together." → A relaxed invitation!

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Quick Reference:

시간 있어요?/시간 돼요?

한가해요 = free

약속이 있어요 = have plans

Exercise 2 — Suggesting Alternatives 🔄

A. Translate: "How about another day?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

다른 날은 어때요? [da-reun na-reun eo-ttae-yo?]

B. Fill in: 오늘은 ＿＿＿＿, 내일은 어때요? ("Today doesn't work, how about tomorrow?")

Answer

안 되는데 [an doe-neun-de]

C. True or False: -는데 can be used to soften a "no" before suggesting an alternative.

Answer

True

D. Translate: "I'm a bit busy this week, but next week is fine." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이번 주는 좀 바쁜데 다음 주는 괜찮아요 [i-beon ju-neun jom ba-ppeun-de da-eum ju-neun gwaen-cha-na-yo]

E. Fill in: 대신 ＿＿＿＿ 만날까요? ("Shall we meet on another day instead?")

Answer

다른 날 [da-reun nal]

F. True or False: 대신 means "instead."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "Let's reschedule for next time." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

다음에 다시 약속 잡아요 [da-eu-me da-si yak-sok ja-ba-yo]

H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 잡다 means "to make an appointment."

Answer

약속을 [yak-so-geul]

I. True or False: 다음에 means "next time."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주는 바빠서 안 될 것 같아요. 다음 주에 다시 약속 잡을까요? [i-beon ju-neun ba-ppa-seo an doel geot ga-ta-yo. da-eum ju-e da-si yak-sok ja-beul-kka-yo?]

Answer

"This week seems like it won't work because I'm busy. Shall we reschedule for next week?" → Polite and clear!

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Quick Reference:

다른 날은 어때요? = how about another day?

대신 = instead

약속을 잡다 = make an appointment

Exercise 3 — Full Scheduling Conversations 🗣️

A. Invite a friend to dinner this Friday. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이번 주 금요일에 시간 있으면 같이 저녁 먹어요. [i-beon ju geu-myo-i-re si-gan i-sseu-myeon ga-chi jeo-nyeok meo-geo-yo.]

B. Fill in: 미안해요, 그날은 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요. ("Sorry, I have plans that day.")

Answer

약속이 [yak-so-gi]

C. True or False: 미안해요 means "I'm sorry."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "No worries, let's plan for another time." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

괜찮아요, 다음에 다시 약속 잡아요 [gwaen-cha-na-yo, da-eu-me da-si yak-sok ja-ba-yo]

E. A friend asks if you're free this weekend. Say you're free both days. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 이번 주말은 둘 다 한가해요. [ne, i-beon ju-ma-reun dul da han-ga-hae-yo.]

F. True or False: 둘 다 means "both."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "Let's decide the time and place later." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

시간이랑 장소는 나중에 정해요 [si-ga-ni-rang jang-so-neun na-jung-e jeong-hae-yo]

H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 정하다 means "to decide/set (a time, place, etc.)."

Answer

(시간을/장소를) — generic noun + 정하다 [jeong-ha-da]

I. True or False: 장소 means "place/location."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주말에 시간 되면 연락 주세요. 시간이랑 장소는 그때 정해요. [i-beon ju-ma-re si-gan doe-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo. si-ga-ni-rang jang-so-neun geu-ttae jeong-hae-yo.]

Answer

"If you're free this weekend, contact me. We'll decide the time and place then." → Casual but organized!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

미안해요 = sorry

둘 다 = both

장소를 정하다 = decide on a place

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you're ready to ask if someone's free and set up plans — 화이팅! 📅✨