🗣️ How to Say “I’m Not Free” Without Sounding Cold — Not Just “我没空”

“Wǒ méi kòng” (我没空) means “I’m not free.”

It’s clear, but often sounds too blunt or too formal in daily conversation. You might sound cold or even rude in some public expressions.

Native speakers usually use softer or more polite expressions depending on the situation.

🚫 Textbook Chinese

我没空。(Wǒ méi kòng.) → I’m not free.

⚠️ Feels too sharp or abrupt in casual conversations.

✅ Real Chinese: Try These Instead

• 最近挺忙的 (zuìjìn tǐng máng de) – “I’ve been quite busy lately.”

• 改天吧 (gǎi tiān ba) – “Another day, maybe.”

• 看时间吧 (kàn shíjiān ba) – “Let’s see if I have time.”

• 看情况吧 (kàn qíngkuàng ba) – “Let’s see how things go.”

These are gentler, more flexible, and help avoid sounding unfriendly.

💡When to Use Them

Use these when:

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A friend invites you to hang out or do something soon.

• 🧑‍💼 A colleague suggests a plan you can’t confirm yet.

• 😵‍💫 You’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t want to reject someone directly.

These expressions make you sound more polite, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent.

🧱 Example Sentences

1.

A: 明天晚上有空吗？

(Míngtiān wǎnshang yǒu kòng ma?)

Are you free tomorrow night?

👉 最近挺忙的。

(Zuìjìn tǐng máng de.)

I’ve been quite busy lately.

2.

A: 咱们周末一起去看电影吧？

(Zánmen zhōumò yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba?)

Let’s go to a movie this weekend?

👉 改天吧。

(Gǎi tiān ba.)

Let’s do it another day.

3.

A: 下周聚会你来吗？

(Xià zhōu jùhuì nǐ lái ma?)

Are you coming to next week’s gathering?

👉 看时间吧。

(Kàn shíjiān ba.)

Let’s see if I have time.

4.

A: 要不要报名那个工作坊？

(Yào bú yào bàomíng nàge gōngzuòfāng?)

Wanna sign up for that workshop?

👉 看情况吧。

(Kàn qíngkuàng ba.)

Let’s see how it goes.

🤓 Why It Sounds Better

• Less direct, more culturally polite.

• Shows you’re trying to balance things — not rejecting someone.

• Helps you keep the conversation warm without overcommitting.

⚠️ Common Mistake

🚫 Saying “我没空” in every situation.

Yes, it’s grammatically correct.

But it can sound a bit cold or even rude if you use it too often.

✅ Try instead:

• 最近挺忙的 (zuìjìn tǐng máng de) – “I’ve been quite busy lately.”

• 改天吧 (gǎi tiān ba) – “Another day, maybe.”

• 看时间吧 (kàn shíjiān ba) – “Let’s see if I have time.”

• 看情况吧 (kàn qíngkuàng ba) – “Let’s see how things go.”

These show flexibility, not rejection.

🏆 Quick Practice

Your friend asks:

📣 “我们下周一起吃饭吧？”

(Wǒmen xià zhōu yìqǐ chīfàn ba?)

Let’s have dinner next week?

Which is more natural?

A. 我没空。(Wǒ méi kòng.)

B. 改天吧。(Gǎi tiān ba.)

✅ Correct Answer: B

It’s polite, casual, and leaves room to reschedule.

✨ Final Thoughts

Next time you want to say “I’m not free,”

Try:

💬 最近挺忙的

💬 改天吧

💬 看时间吧

💬 看情况吧

These expressions feel soft, friendly, and super natural in real Chinese conversations.

📘 Want more like this? Check out the full blog series: Real-Life Chinese