Meaning
Checking availability of someone.
Cultural Background
Finns value 'työrauha' (work peace). Asking 'Onko sinulla aikaa?' is not just a question, but a mandatory social ritual before interrupting someone's work. Similar to Finland, Japanese culture values not being a nuisance (meiwaku). However, the Japanese version is much more indirect and involves more 'pre-apologies'. In the US, 'Do you have a second?' is often a rhetorical question. People might start talking before the other person even answers. Germans are direct like Finns. If they don't have time, they will say 'Nein' clearly, which is respected as professional honesty.
The 'Hetki' Trick
If you want to sound even more polite, add 'hetki' (a moment). 'Onko sinulla hetki aikaa?' sounds less demanding.
Partitive is Key
Never say 'Onko sinulla aika?'. It sounds like you are asking if they own the concept of time itself.
Meaning
Checking availability of someone.
The 'Hetki' Trick
If you want to sound even more polite, add 'hetki' (a moment). 'Onko sinulla hetki aikaa?' sounds less demanding.
Partitive is Key
Never say 'Onko sinulla aika?'. It sounds like you are asking if they own the concept of time itself.
Wait for the Answer
In Finland, if you ask this, wait for the person to actually say 'yes' before you start your story.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing partitive ending for 'time'.
Onko sinulla aik__?
The word 'aika' becomes 'aikaa' in the partitive case because it is an uncountable noun in this context.
Which phrase is used to ask for the clock time?
Miten kysyt kelloa?
'Mitä kello on?' literally means 'What is the clock?' and is the correct way to ask for the time.
Match the Finnish phrase with its formality level.
Yhdistä parit.
Finnish formality is often shown through pronoun choice (sinä vs te) and verb mood (conditional).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Anteeksi, ____ teillä aikaa? B: Kyllä, kuinka voin auttaa?
'Onko' is the question form of 'on' (is), used in the habitive construction.
Which phrase is best for a busy boss?
Pomo on kiireinen. Mitä sanot?
The conditional 'olisiko' and the word 'hetki' (moment) make the request more polite for a superior.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesOnko sinulla aik__?
The word 'aika' becomes 'aikaa' in the partitive case because it is an uncountable noun in this context.
Miten kysyt kelloa?
'Mitä kello on?' literally means 'What is the clock?' and is the correct way to ask for the time.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Finnish formality is often shown through pronoun choice (sinä vs te) and verb mood (conditional).
A: Anteeksi, ____ teillä aikaa? B: Kyllä, kuinka voin auttaa?
'Onko' is the question form of 'on' (is), used in the habitive construction.
Pomo on kiireinen. Mitä sanot?
The conditional 'olisiko' and the word 'hetki' (moment) make the request more polite for a superior.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's best for friends and close colleagues. Use 'Onko teillä' for strangers or bosses.
Because time is an uncountable mass. In Finnish, we use the partitive case for indefinite amounts.
Say 'Minulla ei ole aikaa.'
Almost. 'Ehditkö?' is more about 'Can you make it in time?' or 'Do you have time for this specific task?'.
Use 'Mitä kello on?' or 'Paljonko kello on?'.
No, if you are busy, it's considered honest and respectful to say so. Just add 'anteeksi'.
Yes, it's a very common way to start a request in an email.
It's the spoken short form of 'Onko sinulla'.
You can say 'On', 'Joo', or 'Kyllä, on'.
Say 'Ei ole' or 'Valitettavasti ei ole'.
Related Phrases
Ehditkö?
similarDo you have time / Can you make it?
Hetkinen
builds onJust a moment
Mitä kello on?
contrastWhat time is it?
Oletko vapaa?
synonymAre you free?
Sopiiko nyt?
similarDoes it suit now?
