Bist du beschäftigt?
The English phrase "are you busy?" is translated into German as Bist du beschäftigt?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is currently occupied with a task or activity. While Bist du beschäftigt? is a direct way to ask, you might also hear Hast du viel zu tun? to ask if someone has a lot to do or is feeling overwhelmed with work. If you want to know if someone is free to hang out or talk in a more idiomatic way, you can ask Hast du gerade etwas vor? which means "Do you have plans right now?"
Which one should you use?
Bist du beschäftigt? can sound slightly more literal or heavy, as if asking if they are currently working on a task. In contrast, Hast du gerade etwas vor? is a more natural, idiomatic way to ask if someone is free to talk or hang out.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Sind Sie beschäftigt? when speaking to strangers, superiors or in professional settings. Use Seid ihr beschäftigt? when asking a group of people you know well, such as friends or children, if they are busy.
When do people say it?
When someone asks if you are busy, you might respond directly by saying Ja, ich bin gerade beschäftigt. to indicate you are occupied, or Nein, ich habe Zeit. to indicate that you are available.
Did you know?
- The word beschäftigt can also mean 'employed'. If someone asks if you are beschäftigt in a job interview context, they are asking if you currently have a job.
- The word du is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descend from the same Proto-Germanic root used for the singular second person.
- In some German dialects, the word for 'busy' is replaced by phrases describing 'stress', as Stress haben is the most common way to say one is overwhelmed.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigen Sie die Störung, aber haben Sie gerade Zeit? Ich würde gerne mit Ihnen über das Projekt sprechen.Excuse me for disturbing you, but do you have a moment? I would like to discuss the project with you.
- Können Sie mir sagen, ob Sie gerade beschäftigt sind? Ich bräuchte Ihre Unterstützung bei der Lösung des Problems.Can you tell me if you are currently busy? I need your support in solving the problem.
- Hast du gerade Zeit? Ich wollte dich fragen, ob du Lust hast, heute Abend etwas zu unternehmen.Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask if you're up for doing something tonight.
- Bist du gerade beschäftigt? Wir müssen noch über die Einzelheiten des Ausflugs sprechen.Are you currently busy? We still need to discuss the details of the trip.
- Sind Sie gerade mit Projekt XYZ beschäftigt?Are you currently busy with project XYZ?
Example conversation
Lukas approaches Hannah at her desk in the office.
- LukasHallo Hannah, bist du beschäftigt?Hello Hannah, are you busy?
- HannahJa, ich schreibe gerade eine E-Mail.Yes, I am writing an email right now.
- LukasKein Problem, ich komme später wieder.No problem, I will come back later.
- HannahDas ist nett von dir, Lukas.That is kind of you, Lukas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, CC BY-SA 4.0.
