How to say reservation in Japanese

If you are planning a trip to Japan or simply need to make a reservation at a Japanese restaurant or hotel, learning how to say “reservation” in Japanese will certainly come in handy. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to express the word “reservation” in Japanese, along with some regional variations. Let’s dive right in!

Formal Ways to Say Reservation

When it comes to formal situations, such as making reservations at upscale restaurants, hotels, or even booking a table for a business meeting, the standard Japanese term is 予約 (よやく, yoyaku). This word is widely understood throughout Japan and is commonly used in formal settings.

For instance, if you want to say: “I would like to make a reservation,” you can use the following phrase: 予約をしたいです (よやくをしたいです, yoyaku o shitai desu). This sentence is polite and appropriate for most formal situations. Remember to use the polite form “desu” at the end to show respect.

Informal Ways to Say Reservation

In more casual situations, such as reserving a table at a casual restaurant or making a reservation with friends, you can opt for a less formal expression. One commonly used phrase is 予約する (よやくする, yoyaku suru), which literally means “to do a reservation.”

For example, imagine you are going out for dinner with friends and want to say: “Let’s make a reservation.” The informal way to express this is: 予約しよう (よやくしよう, yoyaku shiyou). Here, “shiyou” is the informal version of “shi tai,” meaning “let’s do” or “let’s make.”

Regional Variations

While the words mentioned above are widely understood across Japan, it’s worth noting that regional variations might exist in certain areas. For instance, in some parts of Japan, people may use the term 予約席 (よやくせき, yoyaku seki), which specifically refers to a “reserved seat” at a theater or event.

Additionally, in Osaka, a popular regional variation is とっとり (とっとり, tottori). This word is only used in the Osaka dialect and means “reservation.” So, if you find yourself in Osaka and want to ask for a reservation, you can casually say 予約とっとり (よやくとっとり, yoyaku tottori).

Useful Phrases and Examples

To help you further, here are some useful phrases and examples:

• Can I make a reservation?
  予約できますか？ (よやくできますか？, yoyaku dekimasu ka?)
• I would like to make a reservation for two people.
  二人分の予約をしたいです。 (ふたりぶんのよやくをしたいです。, futaribun no yoyaku o shitai desu.)
• Is it possible to reserve a table near the window?
  窓側の席を予約することはできますか？ (まどがわのせきをよやくすることはできますか？, madogawa no seki o yoyaku suru koto wa dekimasu ka?)
• We want to make a reservation for tomorrow night.
  明日の夜、予約をしたいです。 (あしたのよる、よやくをしたいです。, ashita no yoru, yoyaku o shitai desu.)

Conclusion

Now that you have learned the various ways to say “reservation” in Japanese, both formally and informally, you can confidently make reservations when visiting Japan or interacting with Japanese establishments. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the situation and location. Enjoy your trip or dining experience to the fullest!