German Phrase
Ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether a particular seat or spot is still unoccupied or available. It can refer to a seat on a train, a table at a café, or any place where a reservation might be needed.
When to use
Use this question when you want to check if you can sit down or claim a spot before someone else does – for example on public transport, in a waiting room, at a concert hall, or in a busy restaurant.
✦Grammar Breakdown
IstdieserPlatznochfrei?
Verb 'sein' (Ist)
‘Ist’ is the 3rd person singular present of ‘sein’ and is used for statements about a single subject.
Demonstrative pronoun (dieser)
‘dieser’ is the masculine nominative form of the demonstrative pronoun, matching the noun ‘Platz’.
Noun gender & case (Platz)
‘Platz’ is a masculine noun in the nominative case; it stays unchanged after the verb ‘sein’.
Adverb ‘noch’
‘noch’ means ‘still’ and is placed before the adjective it modifies.
Predicative adjective (frei)
‘frei’ is used predicatively after ‘sein’ to describe the state of the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
Ja, bitte setzen Sie sich.
Yes, please have a seat.
✕Common Mistakes
Sind dieser Platz noch frei?
‘Platz’ is singular, so the verb must be ‘ist’, not ‘sind’.
Ist dieses Platz noch frei?
‘Platz’ is masculine; the correct demonstrative is ‘dieser’, not ‘dieses’.
Ist dieser Platz noch immer frei?
‘Noch immer’ means ‘still (as in continuing)’, which sounds odd here; simply use ‘noch’.
↔Alternatives
Ist dieser Sitz noch frei?
Is this seat still free?
Ist hier noch ein freier Platz?
Is there still a free spot here?
Ist dieser Platz noch verfügbar?
Is this spot still available?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it is considered polite to ask before taking a seat, especially on trains, buses, or in crowded venues. Using the formal ‘Sie’ (e.g., ‘Entschuldigen Sie, ist dieser Platz noch frei?’) shows extra courtesy when speaking to strangers or older people.