予約がある
yoyaku ga aru
To say "I have an appointment" in Japanese, use 予約がある (yoyaku ga aru).
This is used to say that you have a scheduled meeting or reservation. Specifically, use 予約 when referring to a scheduled time at a business or service provider.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 予約がある is composed of 予約, which literally means "reservation" or "advance booking" and the verb がある, meaning "there is" or "to have".
Which one should you use?
While 予約 is used for commercial reservations (dentist, restaurant, hotel), 約束 is used for social appointments or promises made with people.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, you might hear the phrase 約束あるで instead of 約束があります.
How do you pronounce it?
yoyaku ga aru
Did you know?
- The character 約 in both 予約 and 約束 refers to 'binding' or 'contracting'. This reflects an ancient cultural emphasis on the binding nature of a verbal agreement.
- Japanese has a specific term, 予約困難店, to describe 'difficult-to-reserve restaurants' that are so popular they have become a category of their own in food guides.
- If you have an appointment but are running late, Japanese etiquette often requires an apology using the phrase 遅れてすみません, regardless of whether the delay was your fault.
Examples in context
- ３時に歯医者の予約がある。I have an appointment with the dentist at 3 o'clock.This sentence is useful for showing how to specify a time and a professional appointment with the form 予約がある.Tatoeba #235319 by mookeee, translation #72697 by CK
- 明日、医者の予約があります。I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
- 今日、友達との予定があるよ。I have plans with a friend today.
- 午後に打ち合わせがあるんだ。I have a meeting scheduled for the afternoon.
- 今日は美容院の予約がある。Kyō wa biyōin no yoyaku ga aru.I have a hair salon appointment today.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are discussing their plans for the afternoon.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、買い物に行かない？Himari, kaimono ni ikanai?Himari, do you want to go shopping?
- 陽葵 Himariごめん、午後は予約があるの。Gomen, gogo wa yoyaku ga aru no.Sorry, I have an appointment in the afternoon.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんだ。どこに行くの？Sō nanda. Doko ni iku no?I see. Where are you going?
- 陽葵 Himariマッサージに行くよ。Massāji ni iku yo.I'm going for a massage.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
