Signification
Indicating availability of time.
Contexte culturel
Being 'rảnh' is often an invitation for 'đi cà phê'. Vietnamese people can spend hours at a cafe just chatting, and saying you are free is the first step to this ritual. In the South (Saigon), people are generally more direct and casual. You might hear 'rảnh' used more frequently with strangers than in the North. In the North (Hanoi), people might use 'rỗi' instead of 'rảnh' or use 'rảnh rỗi' to sound more polite and less blunt. Saying you are 'rảnh' to a boss is a double-edged sword. It shows you are available, but if you say it too often, it might look like you don't have enough responsibilities.
Drop the 'Tôi'
In casual texting, just say 'Nay rảnh' or 'Rảnh không?'. It sounds much more like a native speaker.
Tone Matters
The 'hỏi' tone in 'rảnh' is crucial. If you say it with a flat tone, it might not be understood.
Signification
Indicating availability of time.
Drop the 'Tôi'
In casual texting, just say 'Nay rảnh' or 'Rảnh không?'. It sounds much more like a native speaker.
Tone Matters
The 'hỏi' tone in 'rảnh' is crucial. If you say it with a flat tone, it might not be understood.
The 'Rảnh' Trap
If you tell a Vietnamese person you are 'rảnh,' be prepared for a long social outing. It's hard to leave early once you've admitted you have no plans!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'Today I am free.'
Hôm nay tôi ___.
'Rảnh' is the correct adjective for being free/available.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a friend if they are free?
Asking a friend:
This is the standard, most natural question format.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Chiều nay đi đá bóng không? B: ________. Mấy giờ thế?
Since B asks 'What time?', they must be free.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: You are talking to your boss and want to show you can take more work.
This uses the correct pronoun 'em' and the polite particle 'ạ'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Rảnh vs. Bận
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHôm nay tôi ___.
'Rảnh' is the correct adjective for being free/available.
Asking a friend:
This is the standard, most natural question format.
A: Chiều nay đi đá bóng không? B: ________. Mấy giờ thế?
Since B asks 'What time?', they must be free.
Context: You are talking to your boss and want to show you can take more work.
This uses the correct pronoun 'em' and the polite particle 'ạ'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo. For a seat, use 'trống' (empty). E.g., 'Chỗ này còn trống không?'
It's better to say 'Thầy có thời gian không ạ?' to be more respectful.
'Rảnh' is for immediate availability. 'Rảnh rỗi' is more descriptive of a general state of having leisure time.
Say 'Tôi rất bận' or 'Tôi bận lắm.'
Yes, 'Rảnh quá nhỉ!' can mean 'You have too much time on your hands (and are being annoying).'
Yes! Use 'mình' for friends, 'em' for older people, 'con' for parents.
Yes, it's universal, though Northerners sometimes prefer 'rỗi.'
Say 'Ngày mai tôi sẽ rảnh.'
No, use 'máy bận' for a busy line and 'máy không bận' for a free one.
It means 'to have one's hands free' (not busy with manual work).
Expressions liées
Rảnh rỗi sinh nông nổi
idiomIdleness leads to impulsive/bad decisions.
Đang làm gì đó?
similarWhat are you doing?
Bận túi bụi
contrastExtremely busy.
Có thời gian
synonymTo have time.
