A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Is this seat taken" in French
Ask if a seat is available in French with this polite and common phrase for public transport or cafes.
Est-ce que cette place est libre ?
ess-kuh set PLASS eh LEE-bruhneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when boarding a train, bus, or metro, or when entering a busy café or restaurant and looking for a place to sit.
Alternatives
- Cette place est libre ?Slightly more casual, dropping the 'Est-ce que'.
- C'est libre ?Very casual, often used when pointing to the seat.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'est'
The 't' in 'est' is silent; it sounds like 'eh', not 'est'.
Silent 'e' in 'libre'
The final 'e' in 'libre' is silent, so it sounds like 'lee-bruh', not 'lee-bruh-uh'.
A small cultural note
While 'Est-ce que cette place est libre ?' is perfectly standard, you might hear more direct questions like 'C'est libre ?' in very casual settings.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
how to ask if a seat is free in french
Use 'Est-ce que cette place est libre ?' to politely inquire if a seat is available. It's suitable for most public transport and dining situations.
is 'c'est libre' polite enough
'C'est libre ?' is a very common and casual way to ask if a seat is free. It's best used when the context is already informal or when you're pointing to the seat.
what does 'libre' mean
'Libre' means 'free' or 'available'. So, 'cette place est libre' literally translates to 'this seat is free'.
