How to say "reserve" in Japanese

• サブCommon
  nounCovers 'reserve' as a substitute or backup — a second-choice person or item that steps in when the main one is unavailable. Think of a backup player or a spare device rather than a stored supply.
• 予備よびJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveFor 'reserve' meaning something kept spare or in stock for future need, such as supplies, equipment, or time set aside. It emphasizes being held in readiness rather than actively substituting.
  ２階かいに予備よびの部屋へやが二に部屋へやありますが、そのどちらもここ数すう年ねん使用しようされていません。↗

  We have two spare rooms upstairs, neither of which has been used for years.
• 遠慮えんりょJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbHere 'reserve' means reticence or holding back in manner, not a spare supply. This word is about restraint and modesty in social behavior, so it is usually the wrong choice unless that behavioral sense is meant.
• 控えひかえCommon
  nounCovers a reserve or backup kept on hand, often a copy, substitute, or understudy kept ready behind the main one. It overlaps with 予備 and サブ, stressing the backup position itself.
• リザーブCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA direct loanword covering 'reserve', often heard in sports, booking, and other borrowed-English contexts. When you simply mean 'reserve' and want a transparent term, this is a safe choice.
  いつもあのお店みせは混こんでいるけど、今日きょうは席せきをリザーブしてあるから大丈夫だいじょうぶ。↗

  That place is always crowded, but I reserved a table today, so we don't have to worry.

Use 予備 or 「控え」 for a spare/reserve kept ready, 「サブ」 for a substitute or backup, 「リザーブ」 as the straightforward loanword, and 遠慮 only for the unrelated 'restraint' sense.

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

• サブsub
• 予備よびreserve
• 遠慮えんりょreserve
• 控えひかえreserve
• リザーブreserve
• 気兼ねきがねconstraint
• 積立金つみたてきんreserve (fund)
• 蓄えたくわえstore
• 借り切るかりきるto hire for exclusive use
• 申し込むもうしこむto apply for
• ゆとりelbowroom
• とっておきreserve
• 忌憚きたんreserve
• 貸し切るかしきるto reserve (for exclusive use)
• 隔意かくいreserve
• レザーブreserve
• とっときreserve
• 隔心かくしんreserve
• 買い置きかいおきstock (of goods)
• 腹蔵ふくぞうconcealing one's thoughts
• 控え選手ひかえせんしゅsubstitute player
• 保護区ほごくsanctuary
• わだかまりbad feeling
• 残すのこすto save
• 頼むたのむto call
• 預かるあずかるto withhold (an announcement)
• 常備じょうびstanding
• 斟酌しんしゃくreserve
• 買い切るかいきるto hire for exclusive use
• 取るとるto secure
• 押さえるおさえるto reserve (time, space, or availability)