Translation guide
How to express 'spare moment' in Japanese, from casual to formal contexts.
Referring to a brief, unscheduled period when one is not busy.
Literally 'when free', this is the most common and neutral way to say 'spare moment' or 'free time'.
暇な時に電話して。
Call me when you have a spare moment.
Literally 'when your hands are free', used when someone is busy with a task and you want them to do something else when they have a moment.
Politely inquiring whether someone is free to talk or help.
A polite way to ask 'Do you have a moment?'. Literally 'Is now a little bit okay?'.
今、ちょっとよろしいですか？
Do you have a spare moment now?
Expressing that one is too busy to do something.
Literally 'have no free time', the most common way to say you don't have a spare moment.
最近、暇がない。
I haven't had a spare moment lately.
The English phrase 'spare moment' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese. Using a literal translation like 'スペアモーメント' would not be understood. Instead, use phrases like 暇な時 (when free) or ちょっとした時間 (a little time).
手が空いた時に手伝ってください。
Please help me when you have a spare moment.
Means 'a little bit of time', often used to describe doing something in a short spare moment.
ちょっとした時間に本を読む。
I read books in my spare moments.
Literally 'gap time', a trendy term for small pockets of free time between scheduled activities, often used in productivity contexts.
隙間時間を有効活用しよう。
Let's make effective use of spare moments.
Casual and direct way to ask 'Do you have a moment?'. Suitable for friends or colleagues.
ちょっと時間ありますか？
Do you have a spare moment?
Means 'so busy I can't get around to it', implying no spare moment to handle something.
忙しくて手が回らない。
I'm so busy I don't have a spare moment.