reservar
/reseɾˈbaɾ/
To pre-order in Spanish is reservar.
While reservar literally means 'to reserve', it is the standard verb used for pre-ordering products like books, video games or electronics in Spanish. You may also use the phrase Adquirir con antelación as an alternative in certain contexts. If you are referring to the pre-sale event or the pre-order period itself, use the noun la preventa.
Which one should you use?
The standard way to express the action is reservar, but more specific phrases exist depending on the level of formality. For example, Hacer una reserva anticipada is a formal way to say "pre-order" in Spanish, while Realizar un pedido anticipado is a formal way to say 'to make a pre-order'. In informal situations, you might say Pedir antes de tiempo to mean 'to order ahead of time'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle reservado can be used as an adjective to describe an item that has been pre-ordered or reserved.
How do you pronounce it?
/reseɾˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The adjective reservado is a 'false friend' in certain contexts. While it means 'reserved' or 'pre-ordered' for an object, when describing a person, it means they are 'shy' or 'introverted'.
- The word reservar shares the same ancient root as the English word 'serve'. This is because both words trace back to the Latin concept of keeping or guarding something for a specific person.
- The word reserva is versatile enough to refer to a pre-ordered product and a protected nature preserve.
Examples in context
- Puedes reservar el nuevo modelo antes de que salga a la venta.You can pre-order the new model before it goes on sale.
- Quiero reservar el nuevo modelo de teléfono.I want to pre-order the new phone model.
- Puedes reservar el libro antes del lanzamiento.You can pre-order the book before the launch.
- Ya puedes reservar la edición especial del juego.You can already pre-order the special edition of the game.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about a new video game release.
- Elena¿Vas a reservar el juego nuevo, Daniel?Are you going to pre-order the new game, Daniel?
- DanielSí, lo voy a reservar esta noche.Yes, I am going to pre-order it tonight.
- ElenaYo también quiero reservar una copia.I want to pre-order a copy too.
- DanielEntonces podemos reservarlo juntos.Then we can pre-order it together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry reservar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reservar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
