Inklingo

How to Say "available" in Spanish

English → Spanish

disponible

dis-po-NEE-bleh/dis.poˈni.βle/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'disponible' when something is ready for use, purchase, or when a person is not occupied.
A single, perfect, bright red apple resting on a clean wooden table, signaling it is ready and available.

Examples

El libro está disponible en la biblioteca.

The book is available at the library.

El informe final estará disponible mañana por la tarde.

The final report will be available tomorrow afternoon.

¿Está disponible esta habitación para alquilar?

Is this room available to rent?

No tenemos suficiente efectivo disponible en este momento.

We don't have enough cash available at the moment.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'disponible' ends in '-e', it stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine or feminine (el coche disponible, la casa disponible). You only need to add an 's' for plurals (los coches disponibles).

libre

/LEE-breh//ˈli.βɾe/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'libre' specifically when asking if a seat, space, or service (like a person) is free or not in use.
An empty wooden chair pulled up to a small round cafe table in a sunny setting, showing that the seat is available and unoccupied.

Examples

¿Está libre el asiento de al lado?

Is the seat next to you free (available)?

Disculpe, ¿está libre esta silla?

Excuse me, is this chair free?

El taxi tiene la luz verde, así que está libre.

The taxi has its green light on, so it's free (available).

No te puedo ayudar ahora, no estoy libre.

I can't help you now, I'm not free.

The Most Common Mix-up: 'Libre' vs. 'Gratis'

Mistake: “El café es libre.”

Correction: El café es gratis. Use 'libre' for things that are available or not busy (like a table). Use 'gratis' for things that have no cost.

abierta

/ah-BYEHR-tah//aˈβjeɾta/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'abierta' when referring to opportunities, events, or processes that are open for participation or application.
A winding dirt path stretching far into the distance over a hill.

Examples

Las inscripciones para el curso siguen abiertas.

Registrations for the course are still open (available).

La inscripción para la conferencia aún está abierta.

Registration for the conference is still open (available).

Esta es una herida abierta en la historia de nuestro país.

This is an open wound (a serious, unresolved issue) in the history of our country.

Dejaron la discusión abierta para la próxima semana.

They left the discussion open (unresolved) for next week.

Don't confuse 'disponible' and 'libre'

Learners often use 'disponible' when asking about a seat, but 'libre' is the correct and more natural choice in that specific context. While 'disponible' means available generally, 'libre' is preferred for asking about personal space or service availability.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.