Meaning
Asking about someone's availability.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Ta'arof' means that people might say they have time even when they are busy. It's polite to ask twice to ensure you aren't inconveniencing them. In Tehran, 'vaght' is heavily influenced by traffic. People often ask 'چه وقت دارید' to mean 'When will you be through the traffic and available?'. Scheduling is often done via voice messages on Telegram or WhatsApp. Using 'چه وقت دارید' in a voice note is considered very professional. Students must always use the formal 'dārid' or the honorific 'dārand' when referring to a professor's time.
The 'Key' Shortcut
In 90% of daily conversations, you can just say 'Key vaght dārid?'. It's slightly more natural than 'Che vaght'.
Watch the 'Rā'
Never say 'Che vaght rā dārid?'. The 'rā' marker is incorrect here because 'vaght dāshtan' is a compound verb unit.
Meaning
Asking about someone's availability.
The 'Key' Shortcut
In 90% of daily conversations, you can just say 'Key vaght dārid?'. It's slightly more natural than 'Che vaght'.
Watch the 'Rā'
Never say 'Che vaght rā dārid?'. The 'rā' marker is incorrect here because 'vaght dāshtan' is a compound verb unit.
The Ta'arof Buffer
Expect the person to say 'I'm at your service' first. Don't take it literally; wait for them to actually check their phone or calendar.
Adding 'Vaghtetun'
Adding 'etun' (your) to 'vaght' makes it sound even more polite: 'Vaghtetun chetore?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'to have' to make it formal.
ببخشید استاد، شما فردا چه وقت ...؟
When addressing a professor (استاد), the formal/plural form 'دارید' (dārid) is required.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for asking a doctor for an appointment?
کدام جمله برای وقت گرفتن از دکتر مناسب است؟
This uses the formal 'vaght dārand' (honorific third person) which is the most respectful way to ask about a professional's availability.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
شخص الف: چه وقت دارید درباره قرارداد صحبت کنیم؟ شخص ب: ________
The question asks for availability, so the response should suggest a specific time.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
۱. کی وقت داری؟ ۲. چه وقت دارید؟
The singular 'dāri' is informal (friends), while the plural 'dārid' is formal (boss).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Vaght vs. Sā'at
Practice Bank
4 exercisesببخشید استاد، شما فردا چه وقت ...؟
When addressing a professor (استاد), the formal/plural form 'دارید' (dārid) is required.
کدام جمله برای وقت گرفتن از دکتر مناسب است؟
This uses the formal 'vaght dārand' (honorific third person) which is the most respectful way to ask about a professional's availability.
شخص الف: چه وقت دارید درباره قرارداد صحبت کنیم؟ شخص ب: ________
The question asks for availability, so the response should suggest a specific time.
۱. کی وقت داری؟ ۲. چه وقت دارید؟
The singular 'dāri' is informal (friends), while the plural 'dārid' is formal (boss).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, use 'Sā'at chande?' for that. 'Che vaght dārid?' is only for availability.
'Che vaght' is slightly more formal and written. 'Key' is more common in speech.
Say 'Key vaght dāri?' (singular verb).
You can say 'Fardā āzādam' (I'm free tomorrow) or 'Sā'at-e 5 khube' (5 o'clock is good).
Yes, in the context of 'Vaght gereftan' (to get an appointment).
It can be blunt. Better to say 'Motāsefam, felan vaght nadāram' (I'm sorry, I don't have time right now).
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to schedule meetings.
'Vaght' is a specific slot or duration; 'Zamān' is the general concept of time or an era.
Grammatically yes, but socially it is used for one person to show respect.
You can say 'Yek lahze vaght dārid?'
Related Phrases
وقت کردن
builds onTo manage to find time
فرصت داشتن
similarTo have an opportunity/time
آزاد بودن
synonymTo be free
سرش شلوغ بودن
contrastTo be very busy
وقت گرفتن
specialized formTo make an appointment
