How to say "reservation" in Japanese

• 予約よやくJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers booking or arranging something in advance: a hotel room, restaurant table, flight ticket, or an appointment. When you say 'I made a reservation', this is the word you want.
  「ホテルの予約よやくはしてありますか」「すみませんが、まだなんです」↗

  "Have you reserved a hotel room?" "Sorry, not yet."
• 保留ほりゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThis is not about bookings; it means putting something on hold or deferring it, as in a decision left pending. Its gloss 'reservation' corresponds to withholding judgment, so it seldom translates 'I made a reservation'.
  その件けんは保留ほりゅうにしておこう。↗

  Let's put that on hold.

Use 予約 for reserving a seat, room, table, or ticket in advance; use 保留 for the sense of holding something in abeyance, such as a decision, which is a different meaning of English 'reservation'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 予約よやくreservation
• 保留ほりゅうreservation
• リザベーションreservation
• 予約受付よやくうけつけreservation
• 保留地ほりゅうちreservation (e.g. American Indian)
• ブッキングbooking
• 腹蔵ふくぞうconcealing one's thoughts
• 居留地きょりゅうちreservation (e.g. American Indian)