ich habe frei
/ɪç ˈhaːbə fʁaɪ̯/word by word
The German phrase for "I am free" is ich habe frei.
Use ich habe frei specifically to say that you do not have to work, attend school or participate in a scheduled duty like an apprenticeship.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have free", where frei functions as an adverbial adjective meaning "off duty" or "free from obligation".
Which one should you use?
While ich bin frei is a literal translation of "I am free", it is rarely used to mean you are off from work. It more often implies being liberated from a constraint or being spiritually/politically free.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç ˈhaːbə fʁaɪ̯/
Did you know?
- If you say ich bin frei to a colleague, they might think you have just escaped from prison or achieved spiritual enlightenment rather than simply being off work.
- To say you are taking a specific day off, such as Friday, you would say ich habe mir Freitag frei genommen, using a reflexive structure that implies you 'took' the freedom for yourself.
- While ich habe frei means you are off work, the phrase frei haben is often used in the plural wir haben frei to describe a national holiday where the entire country is off duty.
Examples in context
- Sehr geehrter Herr Müller, ich stehe Ihnen am Montag für ein Treffen zur Verfügung.Dear Mr. Müller, I am available for a meeting on Monday.
- Sehr geehrte Frau Schneider, ich bin ab Mittwoch für weitere Verhandlungen verfügbar.Dear Ms. Schneider, I am available for further negotiations starting from Wednesday.
- Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, für ein persönliches Gespräch habe ich ab 14 Uhr Zeit.Ladies and gentlemen, I have time for a personal conversation starting from 2 PM.
- Hey Lisa, ich habe am Freitag frei. Wollen wir ins Kino gehen?Hey Lisa, I am free on Friday. Do you want to go to the cinema?
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are planning a trip.
- HannahHast du nächste Woche Zeit?Do you have time next week?
- MaximilianJa, ich habe frei.Yes, I am free.
- HannahWollen wir dann zum See fahren?Shall we go to the lake then?
- MaximilianDas ist eine super Idee!That is a great idea!
