German Phrase
Ist 13 Uhr frei?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the specific time slot of 13:00 (1 p.m.) is free or available. It is typically used when you want to schedule a meeting, a lesson, a reservation, or any other appointment.
When to use
Use this question when you need to check a person’s or a venue’s availability for a particular hour, especially in work, school, or service‑industry contexts. It works both in informal conversations with friends and in more formal settings such as business meetings or doctor’s appointments.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ist13Uhrfrei?
Verb‑First in Yes/No Questions
In German yes/no questions the finite verb comes first, followed by the subject and then any other elements.
13 Uhr (Time Expression)
Hours are expressed with the number followed by the word “Uhr”. The number is spoken as a cardinal (dreizehn).
Adjective “frei”
“frei” means ‘free/available’. It is used predicatively after “sein” without any article.
No “um” before the time
When the time itself is the subject of the sentence, you do not add the preposition “um”. “Ist um 13 Uhr frei?” is ungrammatical.
🗨In Conversation
Ist 13 Uhr frei?
Is 1 p.m. free?
Ja, ich habe um 13 Uhr Zeit. Wir können uns dann treffen.
Yes, I’m free at 1 p.m. We can meet then.
✕Common Mistakes
Ist um 13 Uhr frei?
Do not add the preposition “um” before the time when the time itself is the subject of the question.
Ist 13 Uhr fre?
The adjective is “frei”, not “fre”.
Ist du 13 Uhr frei?
The verb must agree with the subject “13 Uhr”, which is third‑person singular, so the correct form is “Ist”.
↔Alternatives
Hast du um 13 Uhr Zeit?
Do you have time at 1 p.m.?
Können wir uns um 13 Uhr treffen?
Can we meet at 1 p.m.?
Wäre 13 Uhr für dich passend?
Would 1 p.m. work for you?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries the 24‑hour clock is the norm for written and formal spoken time. Saying “13 Uhr” is clear and neutral. In casual speech people often use the 12‑hour clock (“ein Uhr”) but only when the context makes AM/PM obvious. When you want to sound especially polite, use the formal “Sie” form: “Hätten Sie um 13 Uhr Zeit?”