预订
yùdìng
The English phrase reservation can be translated into Chinese as 预订 (yùdìng).
预订 is used when making arrangements to secure services in advance, such as for hotels, flights or other services. It is commonly used as a verb in phrases like 预订房间 (to book a room) or 预订座位 (to reserve a seat).
Meaning: arrangement by which something is secured in advance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 预订 is composed of 预 (yù), meaning 'in advance' and 订 (dìng), meaning 'to order or subscribe'. Together, they mean 'to book or reserve in advance'.
Which one should you use?
While 预订 is used for booking services like hotels or tables, 预留 (yùliú) is used for 'reserving' or 'setting aside' physical space or time. Additionally, if you specifically wish to book a table at a restaurant, the term 预约 (yùyuē) is also commonly used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term reservation can be translated as 預訂 (jyu6 deng6).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 (le) after 预订 indicates that the action of making the reservation has been completed, as seen in the form 预订了.
How do you pronounce it?
yùdìng
Did you know?
- The character 订 in 预订 is also the root for the word 'contract', implying that a reservation is viewed as a binding agreement.
- The character 预 in 预订 is also used in the word for 'predict', linking the act of booking in advance to the concept of foresight.
- In a professional context, you would use 预留 to reserve time for a meeting because 预订 sounds like you are paying for a commercial service.
Examples in context
- 预订好了。The reservation is already made.This sentence is useful for confirming that a reservation has already been made using the form 预订.Tatoeba #794090 by fucongcong, translation #794086 by CM
- 我想预订一间酒店房间。(Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yī jiàn jiǔdiàn fángjiān.)I would like to book a hotel room.
- 我想要预约一个晚餐座位。(Wǒ xiǎng yào yùyuē yīgè wǎncān zuòwèi.)I would like to reserve a dinner table.
- 帮我在电影院订个位吧。(Bāng wǒ zài diànyǐngyuàn dìng gè wèi ba.)Please help me book a spot at the cinema.
- 请确认一下您的预订。Qǐng quèrèn yīxià nín de yùdìng.Please confirm your reservation.
Example conversation
Xiao Wen and Hao Ran are planning a dinner date.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我们要去那家新餐厅吗？Wǒmen yào qù nà jiā xīn cāntǐng ma?Are we going to that new restaurant?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，我已经做了预订。Shì de, wǒ yǐjīng zuòle yùdìng.Yes, I have already made a reservation.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太好了，预订在几点？Tài hǎo le, yùdìng zài jǐ diǎn?Great, what time is the reservation?
- 浩然 Haoran晚上七点。Wǎnshàng qī diǎn.Seven o'clock in the evening.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
