시간 있어요?
sigan isseoyo?
In Korean, "do you have time?" is said as 시간 있어요? (sigan isseoyo?)
This phrase is used both to ask if someone is free to hang out and to ask if they have a moment to talk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 시간, which literally means "time" and 있어요?, which means "is there?" or "do you have?" in a polite form.
Which one should you use?
You can use the honorific form 시간 있으세요? or the informal form 시간 있어?
How does it change in a sentence?
To show more respect to someone older or of higher status, you can use the honorific form 시간 있으세요? In casual settings with friends or people younger than you, you can drop the polite ending to say 시간 있어?
How do you pronounce it?
sigan isseoyo?
Did you know?
- While 시간 usually means 'time', there is a rare and taboo homonym with the same pronunciation that refers to necrophilia.
- You might hear someone use the word 짬 to describe a spare moment, which literally translates to a 'crack' or a 'gap' in a busy day.
- Koreans distinguish between having a 'gap' in a schedule and having 여유, which refers to the mental or emotional 'room' to handle a task.
Examples in context
- 지금 시간 있어요?jigeum sigan isseoyo?Do you have time right now?
- 잠깐 시간 있어요?jamkkan sigan isseoyo?Do you have a moment?
- 오늘 저녁에 시간 있어요?oneul jeonyeoge sigan isseoyo?Do you have time this evening?
Example conversation
Minjun asks Seoyeon for a quick chat at the office.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 지금 잠깐 시간 있어요?Seoyeon-ssi, jigeum jamkkan sigan isseoyo?Seoyeon, do you have a moment right now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 무슨 일이세요?ne, museun iriseyo?Yes, what is it?
- 민준 Min-jun이 서류 좀 확인해 줄 수 있어요?i seoryu jom hwakinhae jul su isseoyo?Can you check this document for me?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 바로 볼게요.ne, baro bolgeyo.Yes, I'll look at it right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시간, CC BY-SA 4.0.
