Asking if a seat is taken in English
What to say when you want to ask if an empty seat is free in a busy café.
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Ask if the seat is free
You can also say Is anyone sitting here? Go ahead = please sit
Polite: ask to place your bag there
For Mind if…? use Not at all / No = it’s fine
Say the place feels very full today
packed = very full; you can also say crowded
Friendly closing phrase
If they say You too! that’s a natural end
Quick answers
You see an empty chair: what to say in English
Say “Is this seat taken?” — ask if the seat is free. You can also say Is anyone sitting here? Go ahead = please sit.
Ask one more thing before sitting: what to say in English
Say “Mind if I put my bag here?” — polite: ask to place your bag there. For Mind if…? use Not at all / No = it’s fine.
So many people: what to say in English
Say “It's so packed in here today.” — say the place feels very full today. packed = very full; you can also say crowded.
After you sit down: what to say in English
Say “Enjoy your coffee!” — friendly closing phrase. If they say You too! that’s a natural end.