réservé
/ʁe.zɛʁ.ve/masculine
The French word for reserved is réservé.
The word réservé is used to describe something that is set aside for a particular person or purpose. It can also be used as an adjective to describe a person's personality, meaning they are shy or reticent, much like the English usage.
Meaning: set aside for a particular person or purpose (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is réservée, created by adding an e to the masculine form. The masculine plural is réservés, created by adding an s to the masculine singular form. The feminine plural is réservées, created by adding es to the masculine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.zɛʁ.ve/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- While réservé describes a personality, the French use the phrase avoir un jardin secret (to have a secret garden) to describe the private world of a reserved person.
- In some formal French settings, being réservé is linked to the concept of pudeur, which is a specific cultural value regarding modesty and the protection of one's private emotions.
- While 'reserved' in English can sometimes imply a lack of warmth, calling someone réservé in French is often viewed as a neutral or even positive trait of discretion and poise.
Examples in context
- J'ai réservé une place.I reserved a seat.This sentence shows how to use réservé when talking about a seat.Tatoeba #7771176 by Aiji, translation #5858378 by CK
- Ne sois pas aussi réservé.Don't be so reserved.This sentence shows how to use réservé to describe someone's personality.Tatoeba #479585 by sacredceltic, translation #51055 by CK
- Elle a réservé une chambre.She reserved a room.This sentence shows how to use réservé when talking about a room.Tatoeba #4626831 by sacredceltic, translation #316846 by CK
- La salle est réservée pour la réunionThe room is reserved for the meeting
- Elle est très discrète et réservéeShe is very discreet and reserved
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a crowded restaurant, Gabriel tries to sit at a table.
- LéaDésolée, ce siège est réservé.I'm sorry, this seat is reserved.
- GabrielAh, est-ce qu'il est réservé pour quelqu'un ?Ah, is it reserved for someone?
- LéaOui, c'est un espace réservé pour les clients VIP.Yes, it is a space reserved for VIP clients.
- GabrielJe comprends, merci quand même.I understand, thank you anyway.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reserved” translations and entries réservé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
