How to Say "Reserve" in Japanese

予約する

yoyaku suru

To reserve or book in advance in Japanese is 予約する (yoyaku suru).

予約する is used when booking services, such as hotel rooms, restaurant tables or appointments.

Meaning: to book in advance (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

The noun part of the phrase, 予約, means 'advance reservation'.

yoyaku suru

Japanese has a specific term 予約困難店 to describe ' reservation-difficult shops', which are high-end restaurants where getting a booking is famously nearly impossible.
In Japanese, if you have a reservation but do not show up, it is called a 無断キャンセル (mudan kyanseru), literally meaning 'cancellation without permission'.
The character 約 in 予約 is also used in the word 約束 meaning 'promise', suggesting that a reservation is essentially a promise between the customer and the business.

いつも同じ部屋を予約するのね。
You always reserve the same room.
This sentence shows the use of 予約する to talk about reserving a room.
Tatoeba #232822 by bunbuku, translation #70192 by CK
レストランを予約する。
Resutoran o yoyaku suru.
I will book a restaurant.

Two people are planning a dinner date.

大翔 Hiroto

今夜、お店を予約するね。
Konya, omise o yoyaku suru ne.
I'll book a restaurant for tonight.
陽葵 Himari

ありがとう、大翔くん。
Arigatou, Hiroto-kun.
Thank you, Hiroto.
大翔 Hiroto

何時がいいかな？
Nan-ji ga ii kana?
What time would be good?
陽葵 Himari

七時にお願いします。
Shichi-ji ni onegai shimasu.
Seven o'clock, please.

Sources

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