vous avez une réservation
The phrase "you have a reservation" is translated into French as vous avez une réservation.
This phrase is used to inform someone that a booking has been made in their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vous (you), avez (have), une (a) and réservation (reservation).
Which one should you use?
vous avez une réservation is the standard way to address customers or strangers in professional settings like a hotel or restaurant, whereas the informal version tu as une réservation is used when speaking to someone you know well or a child.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version uses tu as instead of vous avez when speaking to a child or someone you know well.
Did you know?
- The word vous is a distant relative of the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian word voi, as all three share a common ancient root used to address a group or a formal person.
- In a French restaurant, instead of saying they 'have' a reservation, staff might use the verb être, saying vous êtes attendu to mean 'you are expected'.
- The word réservation comes from the Latin reservātus, which literally means 'kept back' or 'saved', reflecting the idea of holding something specifically for someone else.
Examples in context
- Si vous avez une réservation, vous pouvez vous enregistrer à tout moment.Provided you have a reservation, you can check in anytime.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of vous avez une réservation in the context of checking in.Tatoeba #8548012 by Aiji, translation #30577 by AlanF_US
- Je vois que vous avez une réservation au nom de Martin.I see that you have a reservation under the name Martin.
Example conversation
At a restaurant reception desk.
- LéaBonjour, vous avez une réservation ?Hello, do you have a reservation?
- GabrielOui, au nom de Gabriel Morel.Yes, under the name Gabriel Morel.
- LéaParfait, suivez-moi pour votre table.Perfect, follow me to your table.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries réservation, une, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
