A client wrote to me last week: “I have free on Friday.” Clear in German. Unusual in English.

“Ich habe frei” translates word for word as “I have free“. In English, that sentence needs one more piece: a day off.

You can say “I have a day off on Friday“, “I’m taking a day off” or simply “I’m off on Friday“. The last one is the most natural in conversation.

One small connection to one of my last posts. “A day off” sits between “holiday” and “vacation” in meaning. It’s one day, not a longer trip. “I’m on holiday” means time away. “I have a day off” means you’re free on Tuesday.

Quick win: Next time you want to say “ich habe frei“, try: “I’m off on [day]“.

Simple. And correct.