예약
yeyak[ˈje̞(ː)ja̠k̚]
The English phrase 'reservations' is translated into Korean as 예약 (yeyak).
The noun 예약 is used for various types of bookings, including restaurants, hotels and doctor appointments. You may also encounter the phrase 예약 확인, which means 'reservation confirmation' and is used when checking or verifying a booking.
Which one should you use?
While 예약 is the standard term for a reservation, you can use 사전 예약 to specifically mean an 'advanced booking' or 'pre-reservation'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 예약 into the verb 'to make a reservation', you add the verb 하다 (to do) to create 예약하다. If you want to say 'I made a reservation' in a polite and standard way, use the past tense form 예약했어요.
How do you pronounce it?
yeyak
Did you know?
- If you have a 'no-show' for a 예약, it is common to be placed on a 'blacklist' in some highly competitive Korean restaurants, making future bookings impossible.
- When making a 예약 over the phone, Koreans often use the term 성함 instead of the standard word for 'name' to be extra polite to the staff.
- The word 예약 is a Sino-Korean term composed of two Chinese characters: 예 (豫) meaning 'in advance' and 약 (約) meaning 'promise'.
Examples in context
- 예약해 놨어.I made reservations.This sentence is useful for showing how to say 'I made reservations' using the form 예약.Tatoeba #4950458 by rainbow4us, translation #2245976 by CK
- 예약을 하려고 합니다.I would like to make a reservation.
- 사전 예약을 할 수 있을까요?Is it possible to make an advanced reservation?
- 너가 예약해 줄래?Can you make the reservation?
- 몇 시에?What time?
- 식당 예약을 확인해 주세요.sikdang yeyageul hwaginhae juseyo.Please check the restaurant reservation.
- 호텔 예약을 미리 했어요.hotel yeyageul miri haesseoyo.I made a hotel reservation in advance.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are at a restaurant entrance.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 식당 예약 했어요?Dohyun ssi, sikdang yeyak haesseoyo?Dohyun, did you make a restaurant reservation?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 민지 씨. 예약 되어 있어요.Ne, Minji ssi. Yeyak doe eo isseoyo.Yes, Minji. It is reserved.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이네요. 예약한 자리가 어디예요?Dahaenineyo. Yeyakhan jariga eodiye-yo?That's a relief. Where is our reserved seat?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저기 창가 자리예요.Jeogi changga jariye-yo.It is that seat by the window over there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 예약, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 예약, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
