What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of itsu (when), aite (the te-form of the verb aku meaning to be empty or vacant) and imasu ka (the polite question form of the verb iru meaning to exist or be).
Which one should you use?
While いつ空いていますか？ focuses on a schedule having an opening, the alternative いつ暇ですか？ uses the word hima (leisure/free time) and can sometimes sound more blunt or imply the person has nothing to do.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form いつ空いていますか？ is more polite and suitable for acquaintances or colleagues. For friends or peers, you can use the informal shortened form いつ空いてる？ If you need to be highly formal or respectful, use いつご都合がよろしいですか？ (When is it convenient for you?) or the respectful expression いつお時間をいただけますか？ (When can I have your time?). For a more colloquial tone, you can say いつが都合いい？ (When is it convenient?).
How do you pronounce it?
itsu aite imasu ka?
Did you know?
- In Japanese, when you ask if someone is 'free' using 空いていますか, you are technically using the same word one would use to ask if a hotel room or a seat on a train is vacant.
- The word hima is so closely tied to the idea of having nothing to do that it is often used to describe a boring person or a slow day at work.
- The polite prefix go in go-tsugō is specifically added to the word 'convenience' to show respect toward the other person's schedule.
Examples in context
- 田中さん、いつご都合がよろしいですか？Tanaka-san, when are you free?
- 山田課長、いつお時間をいただけますか？Manager Yamada, when can I have your time?
- 光子ちゃん、いつ時間が空いてる？Mitsuko, when are you free?
- タカシ、いつが都合いい？Takashi, when is it convenient for you?
- 来週、いつ空いていますか？Raishū, itsu aite imasu ka?When are you free next week?
- 明日の午後、いつ空いていますか？Ashita no gogo, itsu aite imasu ka?When are you free tomorrow afternoon?
- 相談したいのですが、いつ空いていますか？Sōdan shitai no desu ga, itsu aite imasu ka?I want to consult with you, when are you free?
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Ren about a time to grab coffee.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、コーヒーに行きませんか？Ren-san, kōhī ni ikimasen ka?Ren, would you like to go for coffee?
- 蓮 Renいいですね。いつ空いていますか？Ii desu ne. Itsu aite imasu ka?That sounds good. When are you free?
- 美咲 Misaki土曜日の午後はどうですか？Doyōbi no gogo wa dō desu ka?How about Saturday afternoon?
- 蓮 Renはい、その時間は空いています。Hai, sono jikan wa aite imasu.Yes, I am free at that time.
