你有空吗？

Using it is as easy as making instant noodles. Just drop it at the start of a conversation. You can use it as a standalone question. You can also add a time word at the beginning. For example, 你明天有空吗？ asks if they are free tomorrow. It works perfectly in person or over a text message. If they say 有 (yǒu), you are good to go. If they say 没空 (méi kòng), maybe try again next week!

Use this when you want to invite someone to lunch. Use it when you need a quick favor from a coworker. It is great for checking if a friend is available for a weekend hike. It is the perfect 'soft opener' before you ask for something. It shows you respect their time. You’ll hear this in offices, hallways, and bubble tea shops everywhere.

Don't use this if someone is clearly in the middle of a crisis. If your boss is running to a meeting, skip it. Also, avoid using it with very high-ranking officials or elders you don't know well. In those cases, a more formal 'May I disturb you' is better. It can feel a bit too casual if the power dynamic is very lopsided. Also, don't say it if you don't actually have a follow-up plan—it’s a bit of a tease!

In Chinese culture, being 'busy' is often seen as a sign of importance. However, being 'available' for friends is a sign of a good relationship. Asking 你有空吗？ is a polite way to 'test the water.' It allows the other person to decline gracefully without saying a flat 'no' to your actual request. It’s all about maintaining 'mianzi' or face for both parties.

If you want to sound more polite, use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ). You might also hear 你有时间吗？ (nǐ yǒu shíjiān ma?). This is slightly more formal but means the exact same thing. In the north, people might add an 'r' sound: 有空儿吗？ (yǒu kòngr ma?). It sounds a bit more 'street' and friendly. If you are in a rush, just a quick 有空吗？ works too!