In our fast-paced lives, being busy is almost a daily routine. Whether it’s work, personal responsibilities, or unexpected tasks, we often find ourselves needing to let someone know that we’re currently unavailable. But simply saying “I’m busy” may sound blunt or even rude, especially when talking to close family, friends, or professionals. That’s why having a list of polite and thoughtful ways to express busyness in English can help maintain respect and warmth in any conversation.
In this guide, you’ll learn different ways to say I’m busy without being rude, alternate ways to say I am busy, and even how to say you are busy professionally—all explained with Hindi meanings for easier learning. We’ll also cover how to say I am busy politely, what can I say instead of I’m busy, and even how to say you are busy in a funny way for lighter conversations with friends and family.
If you’ve ever wondered how to say busy in a fancy way or another way to say I’m so busy, you’ll find the perfect phrases here. Plus, if you’re working on your spoken English, these natural, respectful expressions will help you sound more fluent and thoughtful.
In this post, we’ll explore the best universal phrases to say “I’m busy” in English, along with their Hindi meanings and usage context, so you can communicate clearly and courteously with anyone—be it your friend, boss, mother, or client.
Phrases to Say “I’m Busy”
Looking for better ways to say you are busy in daily conversations? Here are simple, polite phrases to help you express being busy without sounding rude.
I’m a bit tied up right now.
Hindi: मैं अभी थोड़ा व्यस्त हूँ।
Use when you’re politely turning someone down or delaying a response.
I’m currently occupied, can we talk later?
Hindi: मैं अभी व्यस्त हूँ, क्या हम बाद में बात कर सकते हैं?
Good for both personal and professional settings.
I’m in the middle of something important.
Hindi: मैं अभी एक ज़रूरी काम कर रहा हूँ।
Useful when you don’t want to share too many details.
I’ve got a lot on my plate today.
Hindi: आज मेरे पास बहुत काम है।
Casual yet effective, good for friends and coworkers alike.
It’s a hectic day today.
Hindi: आज का दिन बहुत व्यस्त है।
Neutral and professional tone, works well in most contexts.
Let me get back to you in a bit.
Hindi: मैं थोड़ी देर में आपको जवाब देता हूँ।
Soft, polite way to delay a conversation without sounding dismissive.
My schedule is pretty packed right now.
Hindi: मेरा schedule अभी काफी व्यस्त है।
Use when you’re busy with meetings or appointments.
I’m working on something urgent at the moment.
Hindi: मैं इस समय एक ज़रूरी काम कर रहा हूँ।
Great for both professional and respectful family conversations.
Can we connect later? I’m a bit busy.
Hindi: क्या हम बाद में बात कर सकते हैं? मैं अभी थोड़ा व्यस्त हूँ।
Polite and flexible, suits almost all situations.
I need a little time to finish what I’m doing.
Hindi: मुझे अपना काम पूरा करने के लिए थोड़ा समय चाहिए।
Gentle, respectful way to ask for space.
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to a Friend
Friends understand, but it’s still nice to be thoughtful! Discover different ways to say I’m busy without being rude to your friends, while keeping conversations light and fun. Here are some friendly phrases:
Tied up right now
अभी व्यस्त हूँ
Example: Hey, I’m tied up right now. Can I call you later?
Swamped with work
काम में डूबा हूँ
Example: Man, I’m swamped with work today!
In the middle of something
कुछ काम में व्यस्त हूँ
Example: Sorry bro, I’m in the middle of something. Ping you soon.
Got my hands full
बहुत सारे काम में लगा हूँ
Example: I’ve got my hands full today, let’s catch up tomorrow.
Running around like crazy
बहुत दौड़-भाग में हूँ
Example: I’m running around like crazy today!
Jam-packed schedule
पूरा schedule काम से भरा हुआ है
Example: This week is a jam-packed schedule for me.
All booked today
आज पूरा दिन बुक है
Example: Sorry, I’m all booked today.
Can’t catch a break
एक पल की फुर्सत नहीं
Example: Feels like I can’t catch a break!
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Girlfriend
Need alternative ways to say I am busy without hurting your girlfriend’s feelings? Find soft, romantic expressions that show you care even when you’re busy.
Caught up with work, babe
जान, काम में फँसा हूँ
Example: Hey babe, I’m caught up with work but thinking of you.
Back-to-back meetings
एक के बाद एक मीटिंग
Example: Today’s all back-to-back meetings, but I’ll text you.
Stuck at the office
ऑफिस में अटका हूँ
Example: I’m stuck at the office, missing you loads.
Drowning in deadlines
डेडलाइन्स में डूबा हूँ
Example: So many deadlines today. Can’t wait to see you later.
Mentally occupied
दिमाग पूरा काम में है
Example: Mentally occupied right now, but your smile keeps me going.
Under pressure today
आज थोड़ा दबाव में हूँ
Example: A bit under pressure today, sweetheart.
Can’t talk right now, love
अभी बात नहीं कर सकता, जान
Example: Can’t talk right now, love. I’ll call you tonight.
Just overloaded today
आज बस बहुत ज़्यादा काम है
Example: Just overloaded today. Wish I was with you instead.
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Mother
Moms deserve respect and love. Learn how to say I am busy politely to your mother, with expressions that maintain warmth and affection.
I’m caught up with some work, Mom
माँ, मैं कुछ काम में फंसा हुआ हूँ
A little busy today, will call soon
आज थोड़ा व्यस्त हूँ, जल्दी कॉल करूंगा
Currently in a meeting, mom
अभी मीटिंग में हूँ, माँ
Work’s taking a bit longer today
आज काम थोड़ा ज़्यादा समय ले रहा है
Stuck with office tasks
ऑफिस के काम में अटका हूँ
Will talk after finishing this
ये खत्म करके बात करता हूँ
Just swamped right now, mom
अभी बहुत काम में डूबा हूँ, माँ
Love you, but super busy at the moment
आपसे बहुत प्यार है, पर अभी बहुत व्यस्त हूँ
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Father
Here are better ways to say you are busy to your father without sounding abrupt—keeping your tone formal, polite, and caring in both English and Hindi.
Papa, I’m occupied with work
पिताजी, मैं काम में व्यस्त हूँ
I’ll talk after this meeting ends
ये मीटिंग खत्म होते ही बात करूंगा
My schedule is packed today
आज मेरा शेड्यूल पूरा भरा हुआ है
Just handling a few deadlines
कुछ डेडलाइन पूरी कर रहा हूँ
Currently working on a project
इस समय एक प्रोजेक्ट पर काम कर रहा हूँ
Will update you later, papa
बाद में आपको अपडेट दूंगा, पिताजी
Some urgent office work came up
कुछ ज़रूरी ऑफिस का काम आ गया है
Sorry, can’t talk right now
माफ़ कीजिए, अभी बात नहीं कर सकता
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Brother
Find cool and casual ways to say you are busy in a funny way when talking to your brother—because a little humor keeps the bond strong!
Bro, I’m tied up at work
भाई, मैं काम में फंसा हूँ
Too much on my plate today
आज बहुत कुछ करना है
Back-to-back meetings, yaar
एक के बाद एक मीटिंग्स चल रही हैं
Not free right now, bhai
अभी फ्री नहीं हूँ भाई
Catch you later today
बाद में मिलते हैं आज
Stuck in work mode
काम में फंसा हूँ
Busy day, will call later
व्यस्त दिन है, बाद में कॉल करूंगा
Can’t chill now, let’s talk in the evening
अभी नहीं, शाम को बात करते हैं
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Sister
Explore what can I say instead of I’m busy when chatting with your sister. Sweet, casual, and natural phrases you can use daily!
Busy right now, sis
अभी व्यस्त हूँ बहन
A lot of tasks lined up today
आज बहुत सारे काम हैं
Just drowning in work
काम में डूबा हुआ हूँ
I’ll text you once I’m free
फ्री होकर मैसेज करूंगा
Can’t wait to gossip later though!
बाद में गप्पे मारने का इंतज़ार है!
Back-to-back calls happening
लगातार कॉल्स हो रही हैं
Missing our chats, but working right now
हमारी बातें याद आ रही हैं, पर अभी काम कर रहा हूँ
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Wife
Learn how to say you are busy romantically when talking to your wife. Here’s how to balance honesty with love.
Busy with work, jaan
काम में व्यस्त हूँ जान
Meetings all day today, love
आज पूरे दिन मीटिंग्स हैं, जानू
Overloaded with deadlines
डेडलाइन से भरा हुआ हूँ
Thinking of you while working
काम करते वक्त भी तुम्हें याद कर रहा हूँ
Wish I was with you instead
काश मैं अभी तुम्हारे साथ होता
Work is hectic but you’re on my mind
काम बहुत है पर तुम हमेशा दिल में हो
Will talk after wrapping up
काम खत्म होते ही बात करूंगा
You’re my priority, just stuck for now
तुम मेरे लिए सबसे पहले हो, बस अभी फंसा हूँ
Ways to Say I’m “Busy” to Your Clients
Professional communication is key! Discover how you say busy in a fancy way and how to say you are busy professionally when dealing with clients and colleagues in formal settings.
Thank you for reaching out. I’m currently tied up, but I’ll get back to you shortly.
Hindi: संपर्क करने के लिए धन्यवाद। मैं इस समय व्यस्त हूँ, लेकिन जल्द ही जवाब दूंगा।
Use this at the beginning of your response to show courtesy and promise follow-up.
I’m in the middle of a project right now. Can we connect later today or tomorrow?
Hindi: मैं अभी एक प्रोजेक्ट पर काम कर रहा हूँ। क्या हम आज बाद में या कल बात कर सकते हैं?
Ideal for scheduling meetings or calls without sounding unavailable.
At the moment, I’m handling a few urgent tasks. I’ll circle back to you as soon as possible.
Hindi: अभी मैं कुछ ज़रूरी काम देख रहा हूँ। जैसे ही संभव होगा, मैं आपसे संपर्क करूंगा।
Shows urgency on your part while reassuring the client.
I truly appreciate your patience while I manage a few deadlines.
Hindi: इंतज़ार करने के लिए आपका बहुत बहुत शुक्रिया, क्योंकि मैं कुछ डेडलाइन संभाल रहा हूँ।
Excellent for building rapport while being transparent.
Please note that I might be slower to respond today due to a packed schedule.
Hindi: कृपया ध्यान दें कि आज मेरा जवाब देने में थोड़ा समय लग सकता है क्योंकि मेरा schedule काफी व्यस्त है।
Perfect to set expectations ahead of time.
I’ve noted your request and will address it by [mention time/date].
Hindi: मैंने आपकी बात नोट कर ली है और इसे [समय/तारीख] तक पूरा कर दूंगा।
Helps create a deadline-based commitment.
I’m currently in back-to-back meetings. I’ll reply with full attention soon.
Hindi: मैं अभी लगातार मीटिंग्स में हूँ। मैं जल्द ही ध्यानपूर्वक जवाब दूंगा।
Polite and professional when you can’t reply immediately.
Due to high priority tasks today, there may be a slight delay in my response. Thank you for understanding.
Hindi: आज कुछ ज़रूरी कामों की वजह से मेरे जवाब में थोड़ी देर हो सकती है। समझने के लिए धन्यवाद।
Great for automated replies or when workload is high.
I value your email and will review it thoroughly as soon as I’m available.
Hindi: मैं आपके ईमेल को महत्व देता हूँ और जैसे ही मुझे समय मिलेगा, इसे ध्यान से पढ़ूंगा।
Shows respect and professionalism.
Let’s schedule a time that works for both of us. I’m a bit occupied at the moment.
Hindi: चलिए ऐसा समय तय करते हैं जो हम दोनों के लिए सही हो। मैं अभी थोड़ा व्यस्त हूँ।
Best used when offering a future time slot.
Conclusion
Knowing how to say “I’m busy” without sounding dismissive is a small skill that makes a big difference in communication. Whether you’re speaking with a loved one or handling a work-related call, these universal phrases help you express your unavailability respectfully and professionally. By using the right words with the right tone, you show that you value the other person’s time—even when you can’t give them yours right away.
Throughout this blog, we covered different ways to say I’m busy without being rude, alternate ways to say I am busy, and even how to say I am busy politely. Whether you’re looking for how to say you are busy professionally in emails, how to say you are busy in a funny way to friends, or what can I say instead of I’m busy when messaging someone special, you now have a full toolkit.
And if you want to level up your spoken English further, practicing these real-world phrases will make your conversations sound natural, respectful, and impressive.
So, the next time life gets hectic, don’t just say “I’m busy”—say it with grace, clarity, care, and style!
