A1 phrase Informal #1,500 most common 1 min read

有空

youkong /joʊ u kʰʊŋ/

Use '有空' to ask if someone is free or to state that you have spare time.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to express having free time.
  • Commonly used for making social invitations.
  • Equivalent to 'to be free' or 'have time'.

Overview

  1. 1概览:在汉语中,“有空”是一个非常高频的表达,意为“有时间”。它不仅可以作为陈述句表达自己现在的状态,还可以作为疑问句询问对方是否有意愿或能力参与某事。2) 使用模式:通常放在动词或主语之后。例如,“你周末有空吗?”或者“我有空的时候喜欢看书。”3) 常见语境:它广泛应用于社交邀请(如约人吃饭、看电影)、工作沟通(询问对方是否方便讨论问题)以及日常闲聊。4) 近义词辨析:与“有时间”意思完全相同,可以互换使用。区别在于“有空”更口语化,适合朋友、同事间的日常交流;“有时间”则略显正式,但在绝大多数情况下两者无显著差异。

Examples

1

你周末有空吗?

everyday

Are you free this weekend?

2

如果您有空,请回复这封邮件。

formal

Please reply to this email when you have time.

3

我晚上有空,可以帮你。

informal

I'm free tonight and can help you.

4

等我有空了再研究这个问题。

academic

I will research this issue when I have time.

Common Collocations

周末有空 free on the weekend
正好有空 happen to be free
抽空 find time to do something

Common Phrases

你有空吗?

Are you free?

没空

Not free / Busy

抽空去

Find time to go

Often Confused With

有空 vs 有时间

They are synonyms. '有时间' is slightly more neutral while '有空' is more casual.

有空 vs 空闲

'空闲' is often used as an adjective to describe a state of being idle, whereas '有空' is a verb-object phrase.

Grammar Patterns

主语 + 有空吗? 主语 + 有空 + 动词短语 等 + 有空 + 再 + 动词

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Use '有空' for casual social interactions. It is the most natural way to ask if someone is available. For formal business, use '有时间' or '方便时'.


Common Mistakes

Beginners often say '我有空闲' which is grammatically awkward. Always use '有空' or '有时间'. Do not use '有空' to refer to physical space.

Tips

💡

Use it to start invitations

Starting a request with '你有空吗' is a polite way to check if the other person is available before asking for a favor.

⚠️

Avoid in very formal writing

While perfect for daily conversation, it is slightly too casual for formal reports or official business correspondence.

🌍

The importance of social etiquette

Chinese culture values indirectness. Asking '你有空吗' allows the other party to decline gracefully without feeling pressured.

Word Origin

The word comes from the concept of 'empty' time. '空' means empty, indicating that your schedule is not filled with tasks.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, asking '你有空吗' is a polite way to respect the other person's schedule. It shows you are not assuming they are always available.

Memory Tip

Think of '有' (have) + '空' (empty space/time). Imagine having an empty slot in your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

两者意思基本一致,可以互换。“有空”在口语中更常用,听起来更亲切自然。

如果有空,可以说“有空,怎么了?”或“有空,有什么事吗?”。如果没空,可以说“不好意思,我没空”或“我有点忙”。

不可以,“有空”特指时间上的闲暇。如果指空间上的空余,通常用“有空间”或“有地方”。

可以,但建议使用“您有时间吗?”以表达更高的礼貌程度。在非常正式的商务邮件中,建议使用“方便时”或“是否有时间”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

你明天下午___吗?我们去喝咖啡吧。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 有空

根据后文“去喝咖啡”,需要询问对方是否有时间。

multiple choice

你有空吗?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 不好意思,我正忙着。

“正忙着”明确表示没有空闲时间。

sentence building

我 / 吗 / 下周 / 有空 / 你

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 你下周有空吗?

正确的语序是主语+时间状语+谓语+疑问助词。

Score: /3

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