What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not) and disponible (available).
Which one should you use?
While no disponible is the standard phrase, you might use other forms depending on your specific meaning. Use no está disponible if you want to say "it is not available" as a complete sentence. If you need to convey that something is "out of service" or "out of order", use Fuera de servicio. For a more formal way to state "it is not available", you can use No se encuentra disponible. If you wish to apologize for the unavailability of something, use Lo siento, pero no está disponible.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase No se encuentra en existencia is used specifically to mean "not in stock" or "out of stock".
How do you pronounce it?
/no disponible/
Did you know?
- To say a person is 'not available' because they are busy, Spanish speakers use the word ocupado, meaning 'occupied'. Using no disponible for a person can make them sound like a piece of equipment.
- In many Spanish-speaking retail environments, you will see the phrase agotado on signs to indicate a product is 'not available' because it is 'sold out'.
- The word disponible shares a common ancestor with the English word 'deploy', as both trace back to the Latin root for 'to put in order' or 'to arrange'.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿tienes más galletas? – No, lo siento, ya no hay.Hey, do you have any more cookies? – No, sorry, they're not available anymore.
- ¿Estás libre para salir esta noche? – No, lo siento, no estoy disponible.Are you free to hang out tonight? – No, I'm sorry, I'm not available.
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to book a room at a hotel.
- MateoHola, busco una habitación doble.Hello, I am looking for a double room.
- LucíaLo siento, Mateo, no disponible.I'm sorry, Mateo, it's not available.
- Mateo¿Tienen alguna otra opción?Do you have any other option?
- LucíaSolo nos queda una sencilla.We only have a single one left.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries disponible, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
