Significado
Informs someone that one is not occupied.
Contexto cultural
The 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture means people are often expected to be busy. Saying you aren't busy is a sign of giving someone your full attention and respect. In a company, saying 'I'm not busy' can be tricky. It's often better to say 'I have time for this task' rather than implying you have no work at all. On KakaoTalk, people often use '안 바빠요' or just '안 바빠' to show they are available for a voice call or a quick meetup. When visiting someone's home, the host will almost always say they aren't busy, even if they are cooking or cleaning, to make the guest feel welcome.
Add '별로'
Adding '별로' (not particularly) before '바쁘지 않아요' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Watch the 'ㅃ'
Make sure to pronounce the double 'ㅃ' in '바쁘다' strongly. If it's too weak, it might sound like a different word.
Significado
Informs someone that one is not occupied.
Add '별로'
Adding '별로' (not particularly) before '바쁘지 않아요' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Watch the 'ㅃ'
Make sure to pronounce the double 'ㅃ' in '바쁘다' strongly. If it's too weak, it might sound like a different word.
The 'Nunchi' Move
If you want to be extra polite, say '마침 바쁘지 않았어요' (I happened to be not busy just now) to make the other person feel their timing was perfect.
The 'Busy' Lie
In Korea, sometimes people say they are busy to politely decline an invitation. If someone says they ARE busy, don't push too hard!
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to say 'I am not busy' in a polite way.
질문이 있어요. 지금 [ ]?
The context implies the person is answering a request for a question, so '바쁘지 않아요' is the correct response.
Which of these is the most natural way to tell a close friend you aren't busy?
친구에게: 나 지금 [ ].
'안 바빠' is the informal (Banmal) form used with close friends.
Fill in the missing response in this office dialogue.
부장님: '이것 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?' / 사원: '네, [ ].'
In an office, the polite '해요체' (바쁘지 않아요) is appropriate for a subordinate speaking to a manager.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You want to tell your boss you are free for a meeting next week.
The formal '-습니다' ending is best for professional scheduling with a boss.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Negation Styles
Ways to say 'I have time'
Standard
- • 바쁘지 않아요
- • 안 바빠요
Leisurely
- • 한가해요
- • 여유로워요
Direct
- • 시간이 있어요
- • 시간 많아요
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios질문이 있어요. 지금 [ ]?
The context implies the person is answering a request for a question, so '바쁘지 않아요' is the correct response.
친구에게: 나 지금 [ ].
'안 바빠' is the informal (Banmal) form used with close friends.
부장님: '이것 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?' / 사원: '네, [ ].'
In an office, the polite '해요체' (바쁘지 않아요) is appropriate for a subordinate speaking to a manager.
Situation: You want to tell your boss you are free for a meeting next week.
The formal '-습니다' ending is best for professional scheduling with a boss.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasThey mean the same thing. '안 바빠요' is the short negation, which is more common in casual speech. '바쁘지 않아요' is the long negation, which sounds slightly more formal or emphatic.
It's better to say '식당이 한가해요' (The restaurant is quiet/leisurely) or '손님이 없어요' (There are no customers). '바쁘지 않아요' is usually for people.
No, it's not rude, but it's better to use the formal form '바쁘지 않습니다' or say '네, 말씀하십시오' (Yes, please speak).
You can say '정말 바빠요' or '정신이 없어요' (I'm losing my mind/spirit because I'm so busy).
It literally means 'to be busy.' Historically, it also meant 'to be urgent' or 'to be in a difficult situation.'
Add '전혀' (jeon-hyeo) or '하나도' (ha-na-do) at the beginning: '전혀 바쁘지 않아요.'
Yes! '바쁘지 않았어요' (I wasn't busy).
No, '바쁘다' is a native Korean word. However, the Hanja {忙|망} (mang) is used in related words like '다망하다' (to be very busy).
Use '안 바빠' or '바쁘지 않아.'
Yes, it's very common. In texts, '안 바빠요' is slightly more frequent because it's shorter to type.
The opposite is '바빠요' (I am busy).
It's better to use '시간이 많아요' or '한가해요' for that. '바쁘지 않아요' usually refers to the current moment.
Frases relacionadas
안 바빠요
similarI'm not busy (short form)
한가해요
similarI am at leisure
시간이 있어요
similarI have time
괜찮아요
similarIt's okay
바빠요
contrastI am busy
정신이 없어요
contrastI'm so busy I'm losing my mind
