German Phrase
Ist dieser Platz frei?
Meaning
You are asking whether a particular seat or spot is unoccupied and available for you to use. It can refer to a seat on a train, a table in a café, or any place where a spot might be taken.
When to use
Use this question when you want to check if a seat is open before sitting down – on public transport, in a waiting room, at a restaurant, or at a conference. It is polite and shows respect for others' personal space.
✦Grammar Breakdown
IstdieserPlatzfrei?
Verb "sein" (to be)
"Ist" is the third‑person singular present form of "sein" and is used for questions with the subject after the verb.
Demonstrative pronoun "dieser"
"dieser" agrees in gender, number and case with the noun it modifies; here it is masculine nominative to match "Platz".
Noun case – Nominative
In a predicate sentence with "sein", the subject stays in the nominative case, so "Platz" remains nominative.
Predicative adjective "frei"
When used after "sein", adjectives stay in their base form without endings (no article, no declension).
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz frei?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
Ja, bitte setzen Sie sich.
Yes, please have a seat.
✕Common Mistakes
Ist das Platz frei?
The demonstrative must match the gender of "Platz" (masculine), so "dieser" is correct, not "das".
Ist dieser Platz freier?
After "sein" the adjective stays in its base form; do not add the comparative ending "-er".
Dieser Platz frei?
Never omit the verb; German questions need the verb in first position.
↔Alternatives
Ist hier ein freier Platz?
Is there a free spot here?
Ist dieser Sitzplatz frei?
Is this seat free?
Gibt es hier einen freien Platz?
Is there a free place here?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it is considered courteous to ask before taking a seat, especially on trains, buses, or in crowded cafés. The phrase is neutral and works in both formal and informal settings, but you can add "Entschuldigung" or "Bitte" to sound extra polite.