Signification
Checking schedule.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value their 'fritid' (free time) immensely. Asking 'Er du ledig?' is a sign of respect for their personal schedule. In Norwegian offices, calendars are often public. Even if you see someone is 'ledig' on their digital calendar, it is polite to ask before starting a long conversation. Spontaneity is increasing in cities like Oslo, but the 'Er du ledig?' text is still the standard way to initiate a 'pils' (beer) or 'kaffe'. Norwegians have a large 'personal bubble'. If a bus is half-full, people will look for a completely 'ledig' row before sitting next to someone.
The Gratis Trap
Never use 'gratis' to describe a person's availability. It sounds like you are asking for their price!
Silent G
To sound like a native, don't pronounce the 'g' in 'ledig'. It should sound like 'LAY-dee'.
Signification
Checking schedule.
The Gratis Trap
Never use 'gratis' to describe a person's availability. It sounds like you are asking for their price!
Silent G
To sound like a native, don't pronounce the 'g' in 'ledig'. It should sound like 'LAY-dee'.
The Digital Knock
Always send an 'Er du ledig?' text before calling a Norwegian friend out of the blue.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask if someone is free today.
Er du _______ i dag?
'Ledig' is the correct word for personal availability. 'Gratis' means free of charge, and 'opptatt' means busy.
You are in a cafe and want to know if a chair is taken. What do you say?
Which sentence is correct?
When asking about a place or object, use 'det' (it) instead of 'du' (you).
Complete the dialogue.
Lars: Hei! Er du ledig i dag? Mette: Nei, beklager, jeg er _______.
'Opptatt' is the opposite of 'ledig' and means 'busy'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Er du ledig? 2. Er det ledig? 3. Er stillingen ledig?
The subject (du/det/stillingen) changes based on what you are asking about.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Uses of 'Ledig'
People
- • Social plans
- • Work meetings
- • Relationship status
Places
- • Bus seats
- • Cafe tables
- • Hotel rooms
Professional
- • Job vacancies
- • Consultant hours
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEr du _______ i dag?
'Ledig' is the correct word for personal availability. 'Gratis' means free of charge, and 'opptatt' means busy.
Which sentence is correct?
When asking about a place or object, use 'det' (it) instead of 'du' (you).
Lars: Hei! Er du ledig i dag? Mette: Nei, beklager, jeg er _______.
'Opptatt' is the opposite of 'ledig' and means 'busy'.
1. Er du ledig? 2. Er det ledig? 3. Er stillingen ledig?
The subject (du/det/stillingen) changes based on what you are asking about.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes! You would ask 'Er det ledig?' or look for the green sign that says 'Ledig'.
'Fri' usually means you have a day off from work (Jeg har fri). 'Ledig' means you have a gap in your schedule right now.
No, it is perfectly polite. You can add 'beklager' (sorry) to be extra nice.
You can say 'Unnskyld, er det ledig her?'. The 'Unnskyld' adds the necessary formality.
Yes, 'Han er ledig' can mean he is single/available, though 'singel' is more common.
Expressions liées
Har du tid?
synonymDo you have time?
Er du opptatt?
contrastAre you busy?
Ledig stilling
specialized formJob vacancy
Disponibel
similarAvailable/At disposal
