Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'reservation' depends on whether you mean booking something in advance, having doubts or hesitations, or a designated area. The most common use is for bookings and appointments.
Arranging for a seat, room, ticket, or service to be held for you in advance.
I have a reservation at 7pm. · Can I make a reservation for two? · We need to book a flight.
The standard word for any kind of reservation or booking. Can be used as a noun or combined with する to make a verb.
ホテルの予約をしました。
I made a hotel reservation.
レストランを予約する。
I will reserve a table at the restaurant.
A common phrase meaning 'to put in a reservation' or 'to make a booking', often used in business contexts.
明日の会議室の予約を入れておきます。
I'll book the meeting room for tomorrow.
Loanword from English, used mainly in entertainment or travel industries. Less common than 予約.
オンラインでブッキングできます。
You can book online.
Feeling unsure or having second thoughts about something.
Hesitation or reluctance. Often used with なく (without hesitation).
彼はためらいなく返事をした。
He answered without reservation.
Restraint or holding back out of politeness. Can imply reservation in the sense of not wanting to impose.
Doubt or suspicion. More formal and less about hesitation, more about distrust.
A tract of land set aside for a specific group, such as a Native American reservation.
Specifically refers to a reservation for Indigenous peoples, such as Native American reservations.
彼はインディアン保留地で育った。
He grew up on an Indian reservation.
Historically used for foreign settlements or reservations, but can also refer to Indigenous reservations in some contexts.
先住民の居留地を訪れた。
I visited a Native reservation.
The English word 'reservation' is sometimes used in Japanese as リザベーション, but it is not common. Stick to 予約 for bookings.
予約はありますか？
Do you have a reservation?
予約 is for concrete bookings. ためらい is for emotional hesitation. They are not interchangeable.
Please speak without reservation.
I have reservations about his explanation.