Inklingo

How to Say "vacant" in Spanish

English → Spanish

libre

LEE-brehˈli.βɾe

adjectiveA1general
Use 'libre' when asking if a seat or chair is available or not occupied by someone.
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

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.

vacío

adjectiveA1general
Use 'vacío' to describe something that is empty, like a container or a space, rather than a specific seat or room that could be occupied.

Examples

El vaso estaba vacío después de que bebí todo.

The glass was empty after I drank everything.

disponibles

dees-poh-NEE-blehsdis.poˈni.bles

adjectiveA2general
Use 'disponibles' to indicate that rooms or seats are available for use or occupancy, often in a more formal or commercial context.
A colorful open sign hanging on a shop door, indicating it is ready for customers.

Examples

Los asientos de la primera fila no están disponibles.

The seats in the first row are not available.

¿Están ustedes disponibles para una reunión hoy?

Are you guys free for a meeting today?

Hay muchas opciones disponibles en el menú.

There are many options available on the menu.

Matching the Number

In Spanish, words that describe things must match the number of things they talk about. Because this word ends in 's', you only use it when talking about two or more people or objects.

One Form for All

Unlike many Spanish words that change for 'boy' or 'girl' groups, this word stays exactly the same whether you are talking about a group of men, a group of women, or a mix of both.

Forgeting the 's'

Mistake: “Los libros están disponible.”

Correction: Los libros están disponibles. Because 'libros' is more than one, 'disponible' must also become more than one by adding an 's'.

vacante

ba-KAN-tehbaˈkante

adjectiveB1general
Use 'vacante' to describe a seat or position that is officially unoccupied or available, often implying it's waiting to be filled.
An empty park bench in a sunny park.

Examples

Ese asiento está vacante, puedes sentarte ahí.

That seat is vacant; you can sit there.

El cargo de director sigue vacante después de tres meses.

The director position remains unfilled after three months.

Buscamos propiedades vacantes para el nuevo proyecto.

We are looking for vacant properties for the new project.

No Gender Change

This adjective stays the same for both men and women. You say 'el puesto vacante' and 'la plaza vacante'.

Don't say 'Vacanta'

Mistake: “Trying to make it feminine by changing the 'e' to 'a'.”

Correction: Words ending in 'e' in Spanish often don't change for gender. It is always 'vacante'.

Libre vs. Vacío for Seats

Learners often confuse 'libre' and 'vacío' when talking about seats. Remember that 'libre' directly asks if a seat is free for someone to take, while 'vacío' describes the state of being empty, like an unfeeling object.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.