Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

時間が空く (じかんがあく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

時じ間かんが空あく

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ku)

have free time; have time to spare

Describes a period of time becoming available or free, often unexpectedly or after a change in plans.

会かい議ぎが早はやく終おわったので、少すこし時じ間かんが空あいた。
The meeting ended early, so I have some free time.
明日あしたの午ご後ごは時じ間かん

が

空あ

い

て

い

ます

か

？

Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

Written forms

時じ間かんが空あく
Standard spelling using 空く for 'to become free/empty'.
時じ間かんが開あく
Alternate kanji; 開く is more often associated with 'to open', but can be used for 'to become free' in this phrase.

Kanji

時time, hour
間interval, space
開open, unfold, unseal
空empty, sky, void

Similar words

暇ひま
暇 is a noun/adjective meaning 'free time' or 'idle', while 時間が空く is a verb phrase focusing on the time slot becoming available.
空あく
空く alone means 'to become empty/vacant'; 時間が空く is a specific collocation for time becoming free.

Etymology

Phrase composed of 時間 (time) + が (subject marker) + 空く (to become empty). The verb 空く is native Japanese.