Understanding 予約 (よやく)
予約 means "reservation" or "booking" and is commonly used when arranging to secure a spot or service in advance, such as at restaurants, hotels, or appointments.
Usage and Nuances
When you use 予約, it implies planning ahead to avoid inconvenience like waiting or unavailability. It is a polite and standard term used in both casual and formal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 予約をする: to make a reservation
- 予約なし: without a reservation
- 予約がいっぱい: fully booked
These phrases are frequently used in daily conversation and service settings.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse 予約 with similar words like 予約券 (reservation ticket) or 予約時間 (reserved time). Also, 予約 is a noun but often combined with verbs like する to form the verb phrase 予約する (to reserve).