متى تكون متفرغاً؟
mata takun mutafarrighan?
When are you free?
Literally: When [are you] empty?
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to ask 'When are you free?' in Arabic.
- Use 'fadi' for men and 'fadia' for women.
- Perfect for friends, family, and close colleagues in casual settings.
Meaning
This is the most common way to ask someone when they have free time. It is friendly, direct, and perfect for making plans with friends or colleagues.
Key Examples
3 of 6Texting a close friend
يا صاحبي، امتى فاضي نتقابل؟
My friend, when are you free to meet up?
Asking a female colleague for a quick help
يا سارة، امتى فاضية؟ عندي سؤال.
Sarah, when are you free? I have a question.
In a professional but relaxed office
امتى فاضي عشان الاجتماع؟
When are you free for the meeting?
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Inshallah' (God willing) is almost always used when discussing future availability. It reflects a cultural belief that humans propose, but God disposes. In these regions, people often use 'fadi' (empty) instead of 'mutafarrigh.' It is considered warmer and more natural for daily life. In professional Gulf settings, using the plural 'takuunoon' (you all) even when speaking to one person is a sign of high respect (Tashrif). Egyptians might use 'fadi' but also 'waraak haga?' (Do you have something [to do]?), which is an indirect way of asking if someone is free.
The 'Fadi' Shortcut
If you find 'mutafarrighan' too hard to pronounce, use 'fadi' in 90% of social situations. Everyone will understand you!
Gender Matters
Always remember to add the 'iina' sound to the verb and 'a' to the adjective when speaking to a woman: 'Takuunina mutafarrighatan'.
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to ask 'When are you free?' in Arabic.
- Use 'fadi' for men and 'fadia' for women.
- Perfect for friends, family, and close colleagues in casual settings.
What It Means
This phrase is the bread and butter of social planning. The word فاضي literally means 'empty' or 'vacant.' Think of it like asking if someone's schedule has an empty slot. It is short, punchy, and gets straight to the point. You are asking for their availability without any fluff.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is incredibly simple. You just need to match the gender of the person you are talking to. For a male, say امتى فاضي؟. For a female, add a small 'ah' sound at the end: امتى فاضية؟. You do not need to worry about complex verbs or 'to be' conjugations. It is just the question word followed by the adjective. It is like saying 'When free?' and it works perfectly.
When To Use It
Use this phrase in almost any daily situation. It is perfect for texting a friend to grab shawarma. Use it at work when you need five minutes of a teammate's time. It is great for calling your siblings to catch up. If you are feeling bold, use it to ask a crush out for coffee. It is the ultimate 'let's hang out' conversation starter.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in very formal or stiff environments. Do not use it in a formal letter to a government official. It might be a bit too casual for a first-time meeting with a high-ranking boss. In those cases, use the word متاح (mutaah), which means 'available.' Also, do not use it to describe a glass being empty; that uses a different context!
Cultural Background
Arabic culture is deeply social and often spontaneous. Plans are not always made weeks in advance. Asking امتى فاضي؟ is a way to bridge the gap between 'hello' and 'let's do something.' It reflects a culture where time is fluid and people value face-to-face connection. It is the verbal equivalent of opening a door for a friend to enter your life.
Common Variations
You will hear different versions depending on where you are. In Modern Standard Arabic or the Gulf, امتى might become متى (mata). In some places, people might say عندك وقت؟ (Do you have time?). However, امتى فاضي؟ is the 'cool kid' of the group. It is understood from Morocco to Iraq and sounds naturally local everywhere.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal expression. It is the standard way to check availability in daily life. Ensure you use the correct gendered ending to avoid awkwardness.
The 'Fadi' Shortcut
If you find 'mutafarrighan' too hard to pronounce, use 'fadi' in 90% of social situations. Everyone will understand you!
Gender Matters
Always remember to add the 'iina' sound to the verb and 'a' to the adjective when speaking to a woman: 'Takuunina mutafarrighatan'.
The Inshallah Buffer
If someone says 'I'll be free at 5, Inshallah,' don't be surprised if they are 15 minutes late. It's part of the cultural time-flexibility.
Examples
6يا صاحبي، امتى فاضي نتقابل؟
My friend, when are you free to meet up?
A classic casual text to initiate plans.
يا سارة، امتى فاضية؟ عندي سؤال.
Sarah, when are you free? I have a question.
Uses the feminine form 'fadia' appropriately.
امتى فاضي عشان الاجتماع؟
When are you free for the meeting?
Direct and efficient for workplace coordination.
امتى فاضية نشرب قهوة؟
When are you free to drink coffee?
Low pressure and very natural sounding.
امتى فاضي ترجعلي فلوسي؟
When are you free to give me my money back?
A common humorous way to nudge someone.
وحشتني، امتى فاضي نتكلم؟
I miss you, when are you free to talk?
Shows care and respect for their busy schedule.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'mutafarrigh' for a female friend.
يا مريم، متى تكونين _______؟
Because Maryam is female, we add the 'ta marbuta' (ة) to the end of the adjective.
Which word means 'free' in the context of a schedule?
أريد أن أراك، هل أنت ____؟
'Mutafarrigh' is for schedules, 'Hurr' is for liberty, and 'Majjani' is for price.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
أحمد: متى تكون متفرغاً للاجتماع؟ خالد: _________.
The question asks for a time, so 'tomorrow' (ghadan) is the only logical answer.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesيا مريم، متى تكونين _______؟
Because Maryam is female, we add the 'ta marbuta' (ة) to the end of the adjective.
أريد أن أراك، هل أنت ____؟
'Mutafarrigh' is for schedules, 'Hurr' is for liberty, and 'Majjani' is for price.
أحمد: متى تكون متفرغاً للاجتماع؟ خالد: _________.
The question asks for a time, so 'tomorrow' (ghadan) is the only logical answer.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, for a seat use 'shaaghir' (vacant) or simply ask 'Is this seat taken?' (هل هذا المقعد محجوز؟).
Yes, it is polite and professional. To be extra polite, add 'Ya Sayyidi' (Sir) at the end.
'Mutafarrigh' implies you have finished your work, while 'mutah' (available) is more like a status, often used for things or professional availability.
This is the 'tanween fatha,' used because the word is the object/predicate of the verb 'to be' (Kana).
Related Phrases
متى نلتقي؟
similarWhen shall we meet?
أنا مشغول
contrastI am busy
وقت فراغ
builds onFree time / Leisure time
متاح
synonymAvailable
