Translation guide
The English word 'booking' can refer to making a reservation, reserving a ticket, or the act of recording something officially. In Japanese, different words and phrases are used depending on what is being booked and the context.
To reserve a spot, room, table, or service in advance.
General term for reservation or booking. Can be used as a noun or with する to make it a verb.
ホテルの予約をしました。
I made a hotel booking.
レストランを予約する。
To book a restaurant.
Literally 'to take a reservation', often used when securing a booking, especially for popular places.
人気のレストランの予約を取るのは難しい。
It's difficult to get a booking at a popular restaurant.
Loanword from English, used in some contexts like event or talent booking, but 予約 is more common for everyday reservations.
アーティストのブッキングを担当しています。
I'm in charge of artist bookings.
To reserve a ticket for transportation, a show, or an event.
Same word as above, also used for tickets. Context makes it clear.
飛行機の予約を変更したいです。
I'd like to change my flight booking.
映画のチケットを予約した。
I booked a movie ticket.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to get tickets', often implying booking or purchasing.
コンサートのチケットを取れた？
Were you able to book concert tickets?
Means 'arrangement' or 'coordination', used for booking travel arrangements like flights and hotels together.
The act of officially recording an incident, arrest, or administrative action.
General term for 'record' or 'documentation'. Used for official bookings in police context.
警察はその事件を記録した。
The police booked the incident.
Means 'to arrest'. In English 'booked' can mean arrested and processed, so this is the direct equivalent.
彼は窃盗で逮捕された。
He was booked for theft.
Specifically refers to taking a statement or recording details during police booking.
警察官が容疑者の調書を取った。
The officer booked the suspect.
Do not use ブッキング for everyday hotel or restaurant reservations. It sounds unnatural. Use 予約 instead.
ホテルをブッキングする
to book a hotel (unnatural)
予約 is for reserving a specific service (room, table, ticket). 手配 is for arranging multiple components of a trip or event, often by a third party.
午後7時に2名で予約しています。
I have a booking for two at 7pm.
オンラインで飛行機を予約するのは簡単です。
Booking a flight online is easy.
Have you completed the travel bookings?