Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'availability' in Japanese, covering whether something is obtainable, someone is free, or a service is offered.
Is this service available?
Expressing whether an item or resource is available, in stock, or can be obtained.
The most basic way to say something is available is to use the verb ある (to exist, to be). For inanimate objects, this is the natural choice.
Is this book still available?
It's in stock (available).
Literally 'obtainable'. Used in formal or written contexts, such as product descriptions or official announcements.
A common phrase meaning 'can be obtained' or 'is available'. Slightly more colloquial than 入手可能.
Expressing whether someone is free, has time, or can be reached.
Means 'free time' or 'not busy'. Use 暇ですか？ to ask if someone is available casually.
Are you free tomorrow?
Means 'convenient' or 'available' in terms of schedule. More polite than 暇.
Is next Monday convenient for you? (Are you available?)
Literally 'empty' or 'vacant'. Used for time slots or schedules. 空いていますか？ asks if someone is free.
Are you free in the afternoon?
Literally 'hands become free'. Used when someone finishes a task and becomes available.
Help me when you're free.
Expressing whether a service, feature, or option is offered or accessible.
Means 'can be used' or 'available for use'. Standard for services, facilities, or features.
This service is available 24 hours.
Wi-Fi is available for free.
Means 'supports' or 'is compatible with'. Used for features like language support or payment methods.
Is credit card payment available?
Means 'currently being offered'. Often seen in promotional materials or websites.
The new plan is currently available.
Expressing whether information, data, or documents are accessible or published.
Means 'is made public' or 'is published'. Used for information, reports, or data that is officially available.
Is that data available to the public?
Means 'can be obtained'. Used for documents, files, or information that can be acquired.
The application form is available on the website.
The English noun 'availability' does not have a single natural Japanese equivalent. Instead, use verbs like ある, 利用できる, or adjectives like 暇 depending on context. Translating literally as 可用性 (かようせい) is technical jargon and rarely used in everyday language.
availability (technical, e.g., system uptime)
This product is currently available.
この薬はどこで手に入りますか？
Where is this medicine available?