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-====== yǒu kòng: 有空 - To be free, to have free time ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** you kong, yǒu kòng, 有空, have free time in Chinese, are you free Chinese, when are you free Chinese, make plans in Chinese, Chinese for available, Mandarin social phrases, HSK 1 vocabulary.
-  * **Summary:** "有空" (yǒu kòng) is a fundamental Mandarin Chinese phrase that directly translates to "to have free time" or "to be available." It's one of the most essential phrases for socializing, making plans, and checking someone's availability. Whether you're inviting a friend for dinner, scheduling a meeting, or politely declining an offer, understanding how to use 有空 is crucial for everyday conversation in China.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yǒu kòng
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb phrase / Adjective
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 1
-  * **Concise Definition:** To have unoccupied time; to be available or free.
-  * **In a Nutshell:** "有空" (yǒu kòng) is the Swiss Army knife for discussing schedules in Chinese. It literally means "to have emptiness" or "to have a gap" in your schedule. It's the primary way you ask "Are you free?" and is the foundation for making any kind of social or professional arrangement.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **有 (yǒu):** This character means "to have," "to possess," or "there is/are." It's one of the most common characters in Chinese.
-  * **空 (kòng):** This character has two main pronunciations. As **kòng**, it means "leisure," "free time," or an "empty space/gap." (As **kōng**, it means "empty" or "sky").
-  * When combined, **有 (yǒu)** + **空 (kòng)** literally means "to have free time." The logic is direct and easy for learners to grasp.
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-  * In Chinese culture, social bonding is heavily reliant on shared activities, especially meals. The phrase "有空一起吃饭" (yǒu kòng yīqǐ chīfàn), meaning "Let's eat together when we're free," is more than just a casual suggestion; it's a primary tool for building and maintaining **[[关系]] (guānxi)**, or social relationships.
-  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In American culture, saying "Let's hang out sometime" can often be a polite, non-committal platitude. While "有空..." can also be used casually, it often carries a more sincere intention to connect. Asking someone if they "有空" is a gentle and indirect way to propose an activity. It respects the other person's time and avoids putting them on the spot, aligning with the cultural value of social harmony. It's less transactional than "What's your availability?" and more relational, focusing on the shared desire to spend time together.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-  * **Making Plans:** This is the most common usage. It's used to initiate plans with friends, family, and colleagues.
-    * e.g., "你周末有空吗？我们去看电影吧。" (Nǐ zhōumò yǒu kòng ma? Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba. - Are you free this weekend? Let's go see a movie.)
-  * **Polite Refusals:** The negative form, **[[没空]] (méi kòng)**, is the direct way to say you're busy. However, it can sometimes sound a bit blunt. It's often softened with an apology or reason.
-    * e.g., "不好意思，我明天没空，要加班。" (Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ míngtiān méi kòng, yào jiābān. - Sorry, I'm not free tomorrow, I have to work overtime.)
-  * **Formality:** "有空" is a neutral term suitable for most situations, from casual chats with friends to informal business settings. In a highly formal context, you might use the more polite **[[方便]] (fāngbiàn)**, as in "请问您什么时候方便?" (Qǐngwèn nín shénme shíhou fāngbiàn? - Excuse me, when would be convenient for you?), but "有空" remains universally understood and widely accepted.
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-    * 你今天下午**有空**吗？
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān xiàwǔ **yǒu kòng** ma?
-    * English: Are you free this afternoon?
-    * Analysis: A standard, simple question to check someone's immediate availability. The use of "吗 (ma)" turns the statement into a yes/no question.
-  * **Example 2:**
-    * 我明天**有空**，你想做什么？
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān **yǒu kòng**, nǐ xiǎng zuò shénme?
-    * English: I'm free tomorrow, what do you want to do?
-    * Analysis: A positive response that opens the door for making a plan. It confirms availability and passes the planning initiative to the other person.
-  * **Example 3:**
-    * 不好意思，我现在没**有空**，我正在开会。
-    * Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ xiànzài méi**yǒu kòng**, wǒ zhèngzài kāihuì.
-    * English: Sorry, I'm not free right now, I'm in a meeting.
-    * Analysis: A polite way to decline. "不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)" softens the refusal, and providing a reason ("正在开会" - in a meeting) makes it sound less blunt than just saying "我没空".
-  * **Example 4:**
-    * **有空**一起吃饭吧！
-    * Pinyin: **Yǒu kòng** yīqǐ chīfàn ba!
-    * English: Let's grab a meal together when you're free!
-    * Analysis: This is a classic, friendly invitation. It's open-ended and serves as a way to maintain social connection. The "吧 (ba)" particle suggests a proposal.
-  * **Example 5:**
-    * 你要是**有空**，就给我打个电话。
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ yàoshi **yǒu kòng**, jiù gěi wǒ dǎ ge diànhuà.
-    * English: If you have time, give me a call.
-    * Analysis: Here, "有空" is used in a conditional clause with "要是...就..." (yàoshi...jiù... - if...then...). It sets "having free time" as the condition for the action.
-  * **Example 6:**
-    * 等我**有空**了，我一定去你的城市玩。
-    * Pinyin: Děng wǒ **yǒu kòng** le, wǒ yīdìng qù nǐ de chéngshì wán.
-    * English: When I have free time, I will definitely go to your city to have fun.
-    * Analysis: "等 (děng)" means "to wait" or "when." This structure expresses a future intention that is dependent on becoming free. The "了 (le)" indicates a change of state (from busy to free).
-  * **Example 7:**
-    * 他最近好像都没**有空**，一直很忙。
-    * Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn hǎoxiàng dōu méi**yǒu kòng**, yīzhí hěn máng.
-    * English: It seems like he hasn't had any free time recently, he's been very busy.
-    * Analysis: This sentence uses "好像 (hǎoxiàng)" to mean "it seems like," expressing an observation about someone else's schedule. It links "没空" directly with its cause, "忙" (máng - busy).
-  * **Example 8:**
-    * 只要你**有空**，我随时都可以。
-    * Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ **yǒu kòng**, wǒ suíshí dōu kěyǐ.
-    * English: As long as you're free, I'm available anytime.
-    * Analysis: This is a very accommodating response. "只要 (zhǐyào)" means "as long as," showing complete flexibility and prioritizing the other person's schedule.
-  * **Example 9:**
-    * 我终于**有空**可以好好休息一下了。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ zhōngyú **yǒu kòng** kěyǐ hǎohǎo xiūxi yīxià le.
-    * English: I finally have some free time to get a good rest.
-    * Analysis: "终于 (zhōngyú)" means "finally," emphasizing that the state of being free is a long-awaited relief after a period of being busy.
-  * **Example 10:**
-    * 老板，请问您下周什么时间**有空**？我想跟您谈谈。
-    * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, qǐngwèn nín xià zhōu shénme shíjiān **yǒu kòng**? Wǒ xiǎng gēn nín tán tan.
-    * English: Boss, may I ask when you might be free next week? I'd like to talk with you.
-    * Analysis: This shows how "有空" can be used in a professional setting. The use of "请问 (qǐngwèn)" and the respectful pronoun "您 (nín)" makes the question polite and appropriate for speaking to a superior.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-  * **"Free" (time) vs. "Free" (cost):** This is a critical mistake for beginners. "有空" **only** refers to availability of time. It **never** means "free of charge." For something that costs no money, you must use **[[免费]] (miǎnfèi)**.
-    * **Incorrect:** 这个咖啡是**有空**的。 (Zhège kāfēi shì **yǒu kòng** de.)
-    * **Correct:** 这个咖啡是**免费**的。 (Zhège kāfēi shì **miǎnfèi** de. - This coffee is free of charge.)
-  * **Pronunciation of 空 (kòng vs. kōng):** The meaning changes completely with the tone.
-    * **空 (kòng):** free time, leisure. (e.g., **有空** - yǒu kòng)
-    * **空 (kōng):** empty, hollow, sky. (e.g., **空**气 - kōngqì - air; **空**房间 - kōng fángjiān - empty room)
-    * Saying "你明天有 kōng 吗?" (Nǐ míngtiān yǒu kōng ma?) is incorrect and would confuse a native speaker.
-  * **Bluntness of "我没空" (Wǒ méi kòng):** While grammatically correct, just saying "I'm not free" can sound abrupt or dismissive, especially in response to a friendly invitation. It's often better to soften it:
-    * **A bit blunt:** 我没空。(Wǒ méi kòng.)
-    * **Softer:** 不好意思，我有点事。(Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ yǒudiǎn shì. - Sorry, I have something to do.)
-    * **Even better:** 我很想去，但是那天正好有安排了。下次吧！(Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, dànshì nàtiān zhènghǎo yǒu ānpái le. Xià cì ba! - I'd love to go, but I happen to have plans that day. Next time!)
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  * **[[没空]] (méi kòng)** - The direct antonym: "not free," "to not have time."
-  * **[[忙]] (máng)** - Adjective for "busy." The state of being the opposite of 有空.
-  * **[[有事]] (yǒu shì)** - "To be occupied," "to have something to do." The most common reason for being 没空.
-  * **[[方便]] (fāngbiàn)** - "Convenient." A slightly more formal or polite way to ask about availability, focusing on ease for the other person.
-  * **[[空闲]] (kòngxián)** - A more formal or written synonym for "free time" or "leisure." You might see it in writing more than hear it in casual conversation.
-  * **[[时间]] (shíjiān)** - The general word for "time." Asking "你明天有时间吗?" (Nǐ míngtiān yǒu shíjiān ma?) is almost identical in meaning to asking if they 有空.
-  * **[[约]] (yuē)** - Verb for "to make an appointment" or "to invite/ask someone out." This is the action you often take once you confirm someone is 有空.
-  * **[[安排]] (ānpái)** - "Arrangement," "plan," or "to arrange." Having an "安排" is a reason for being 没空.