In this workshop, you will learn to ask whether a room is available and to understand simple yes/no responses. You will use polite Japanese that is suitable for making an inquiry without booking. The focus is on speaking and listening, with clear examples from the recordings. You will practice both asking and answering, so you can handle a basic conversation at a hotel or guesthouse.
Asking if a Room Is Available
To ask if a room is available, you can use a direct question. The recording «部屋は空いていますか。» means 'Do you have any rooms available?' This is a common and polite way to ask. Another option is «空いている部屋はありますか。», which means 'Are there any rooms available?' This version emphasizes the existence of an available room. Both are suitable for speaking to staff. When you ask, use a clear and polite tone. You can start with a greeting like 'sumimasen' to get attention, but the core question is the same. Practice saying these questions aloud until you are comfortable.
Understanding Yes and No Answers
When you ask about availability, you will hear a yes or no answer. The recording «はい、空いています。» means 'Yes, we have one available.' This is a positive response. The recording «いいえ、空いていません。» means 'No, we do not have any available.' This is a negative response. Notice that the verb changes from 'aite imasu' to 'aite imasen' for the negative. Listen carefully to the ending of the sentence to know if the answer is yes or no. In a real conversation, you might also hear additional information, but these basic responses are the most important to recognize.
Putting It Together in a Conversation
A simple exchange combines asking and answering. For example, one person might say «すみません、部屋は空いていますか。», which means 'Excuse me, do you have any rooms available?' The other person might reply with «はい、空いています。», meaning 'Yes, we have one available.' If you want to ask about a specific time, you can include it. The recording «今夜、部屋は空いていますか。» means 'Do you have a room available for tonight?' The negative answer is «いいえ、今夜は空いていません。», meaning 'No, we do not have any available tonight.' Practice both roles so you can ask and understand the answer. Remember to speak clearly and politely.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
部屋は空いていますか。
Do you have any rooms available?
heya wa aite imasu ka
空いている部屋はありますか。
Are there any rooms available?
aite iru heya wa arimasu ka
はい、空いています。
Yes, we have one available.
hai, aite imasu
いいえ、空いていません。
No, we do not have any available.
iie, aite imasen
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、部屋は空いていますか。
Excuse me, do you have any rooms available?はい、空いています。
Yes, we have one available.今夜、部屋は空いていますか。
Do you have a room available for tonight?いいえ、今夜は空いていません。
No, we do not have any available tonight.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You are at a hotel reception. You want to ask if any rooms are available. The staff member will answer. Use the recordings to guide you.
Your task: First, play the role of the guest. Say the question from «部屋は空いていますか。». Then, imagine the staff replies with «はい、空いています。». Next, switch roles: play the staff and respond to the question «部屋は空いていますか。» with «はい、空いています。». Finally, practice the negative version: ask «部屋は空いていますか。» and respond with «いいえ、空いていません。».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
You will hear a question and must choose the correct answer from two options. This practices listening and understanding.
Your task: Listen to the recorded exchange. First, hear «今夜、部屋は空いていますか。» followed by «いいえ、今夜は空いていません。» and choose the response you heard: «はい、空いています。» or «いいえ、今夜は空いていません。». Then hear «すみません、部屋は空いていますか。» followed by «はい、空いています。» and choose the response you heard: «はい、空いています。» or «いいえ、空いていません。». Say both chosen responses aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Ask and Respond
Now, without looking at the recordings, try to recall the phrases. You will play both the guest and the staff.
Your task: First, as the guest, ask if a room is available using the phrase from «部屋は空いていますか。». Then, as the staff, give a positive answer using «はい、空いています。». Next, as the guest, ask about tonight using «今夜、部屋は空いていますか。». Finally, as the staff, give a negative answer using «いいえ、今夜は空いていません。». Try to do this without reading the phrases.
Common questions
What is the difference between «部屋は空いていますか。» and «空いている部屋はありますか。»?
«部屋は空いていますか。» means 'Do you have any rooms available?' and «空いている部屋はありますか。» means 'Are there any rooms available?' Both are polite and can be used in the same situation. «空いている部屋はありますか。» is slightly more explicit about the existence of a room, but the meaning is very similar. You can use either one when asking about availability.
How do I make the negative form for 'available'?
The positive form is 'aite imasu' as in «はい、空いています。». To make it negative, change 'imasu' to 'imasen', giving 'aite imasen' as in «いいえ、空いていません。». This is a polite negative form. You can use it to say that no rooms are available, as in «いいえ、今夜は空いていません。» where it means 'not available tonight'.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about room availabilityChecked September 2026
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