Translation guide
The English word "appointment" covers several distinct situations in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 予約 (yoyaku) for scheduled bookings like doctor visits or restaurant reservations. For formal business meetings, アポイントメント (apointmento) or アポ (apo) is used. When referring to a scheduled time to meet someone casually, 約束 (yakusoku) is more natural. This guide breaks down these uses to help you choose the right word.
医者の予約があります。
I have a doctor's appointment.
友達と約束があります。
I have an appointment with a friend.
A pre-arranged time for a service or reservation.
The standard word for any kind of reservation or booking. Used for medical appointments, restaurant reservations, hotel bookings, and more. Can be used as a noun or combined with する to make a verb.
歯医者の予約をしました。
I made a dentist appointment.
明日10時に美容院の予約があります。
I have a hair salon appointment at 10 tomorrow.
レストランの予約は必要ですか？
Do I need a restaurant reservation?
A scheduled meeting in a professional context, often with clients or external parties.
A loanword from English, used specifically for business appointments. Often shortened to アポ in casual business speech.
来週、取引先とアポイントメントがあります。
I have an appointment with a client next week.
アポイントメントを取ってから訪問してください。
Please make an appointment before visiting.
Casual abbreviation of アポイントメント, very common in spoken business Japanese.
明日のアポ、何時だっけ？
What time is tomorrow's appointment again?
An arrangement to meet someone socially, not a formal booking.
Means "promise" or "arrangement." Used for personal appointments and plans to meet. Not used for business or service reservations.
Do not use 約束 for business or service appointments; it sounds too personal.
友達とランチの約束をした。
I made a lunch appointment with a friend.
彼女との約束を忘れてしまった。
I forgot my appointment with my girlfriend.
The act of being officially chosen for a job or position.
Refers to the formal assignment of a person to a position. Often used in official or organizational contexts.
彼の社長任命が発表された。
His appointment as president was announced.
Means "inauguration" or "assumption of office." Focuses on the act of taking up the position.
予約 is for service reservations (medical, dining, travel). 約束 is for personal promises to meet. アポイントメント is for formal business meetings. Using the wrong one can sound odd or overly familiar.
アポイントメント is strictly for business. Using it for a doctor's visit or a date sounds unnatural. Stick to 予約 or 約束 as appropriate.
来週の火曜日に予約を取りたいのですが。
I'd like to make an appointment for next Tuesday.
彼女は理事会への任命に大喜びだった。
She was thrilled by her appointment to the board.
新社長の就任は来月です。
The new president's appointment takes effect next month.