German - Time and Plans

Ich habe Zeit.

I have time / I'm available.

Meaning: I have time / I'm available.

When to use: Say this when you can meet or help someone and you are free at that moment or for a suggested time.

Ich habe keine Zeit.

I don't have time / I'm not available.

Meaning: I don't have time / I'm not available.

When to use: Use this to refuse a time or explain you are busy. Add 'leider' to soften it.

Ich bin spät dran.

I'm running late.

Meaning: I'm running late.

When to use: Say this when you will arrive later than planned and want to explain the delay.

Tip: Don't say 'ich bin spät' alone; the fixed phrase is 'ich bin spät dran.'

Ich komme später.

I'll come later.

Meaning: I'll come later.

When to use: Use when you plan to join an event or visit but not immediately.

Ich bin unterwegs.

I'm on my way.

Meaning: I'm on my way.

When to use: Send as a quick update when you're traveling to meet someone and are heading there now.

Ich bin schon da.

I'm already here.

Meaning: I'm already here.

When to use: Tell someone by message or phone when you arrive before them and are waiting.

Ich bin fast da.

I'm almost there.

Meaning: I'm almost there.

When to use: Use this in messages when you are very close and will arrive shortly.

Es dauert noch ___ Minuten.

It will still take ___ minutes.

Meaning: It will still take ___ minutes.

When to use: Tell someone how many minutes remain; insert a number before 'Minuten' (eine Minute for one).

Passt dir ___?

Does ___ work for you?

Meaning: Does ___ work for you?

When to use: Ask if a suggested time or option is OK; informal with 'dir', formal would be 'Ihnen'.

Mir passt ___.

___ works for me.

Meaning: ___ works for me.

When to use: Use to accept a suggested time or date; fill the blank with the time or day.

Mir passt ___ nicht.

___ doesn't work for me.

Meaning: ___ doesn't work for me.

When to use: Use to decline a suggested time; add 'leider' to soften the refusal.

Ich kann erst ab ___.

I can only from ___ onward.

Meaning: I can only from ___ onward.

When to use: Explain limited availability: use with times, days, or dates (e.g. 'ab drei', 'ab Montag').

Ich kann nicht so lange bleiben.

I can't stay that long.

Meaning: I can't stay that long.

When to use: Use this to say you need to leave early or can only attend briefly.