هل أنت متفرغ؟
hal anta mutafarriḡ?
The English phrase "are you free?" is translated into Arabic as هل أنت متفرغ؟ (hal anta mutafarriḡ?).
This phrase is used to ask if someone is available or not busy. To express the opposite, meaning "Are you busy?", you would use هل أنت مشغول?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, you can informally ask عَنْدَكْ وَقْت? to mean "Are you free?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on who you are addressing. Use هل أنتِ متفرغة؟ when addressing a woman, and use هل أنتم متفرغون؟ when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
hal anta mutafarriḡ?
When do people say it?
If someone asks you if you are free, a standard positive response is نعم، أنا متفرغ. (Yes, I am free). A standard negative response is لا، أنا مشغول. (No, I am busy).
Did you know?
- In many social contexts, instead of asking if someone is 'free', an Arabic speaker might ask if your 'hands are empty' or if you are 'unburdened'.
- In many Arabic cultures, if someone asks هل أنت متفرغ؟ it may be a polite social bridge to a request for a favor rather than a simple question about your schedule.
- The word متفرغ comes from the root for 'emptying' a container. To be 'free' in Arabic is literally to be 'emptied' of tasks or obligations.
Example conversation
Omar asks Maryam if she can help him with a task.
- عمر Omarمرحباً مريم، هل أنت متفرغ؟marhaban maryam, hal anti mutafarrigha?Hello Maryam, are you free?
- مريم Maryamنعم يا عمر، أنا متفرغة الآن.na'am ya 'umar, ana mutafarrigha al-ān.Yes Omar, I am free now.
- عمر Omarهل يمكنك مساعدتي في هذا العمل؟hal yumkinuki musā'adatī fī hādhā al-'amal?Can you help me with this work?
- مريم Maryamبالطبع، أنا مستعدة.bi-ttaba', ana musta'idda.Of course, I am ready.
