Booking by phone

Booking a table, rescheduling, canceling, and the phrases that save you when you can't hear clearly.

1. もしもし、予約よやくをお願ねがいしたいんですが。

   Hello, I'd like to make a reservation...

   In Japanese phone calls it's fine to open without saying who you are, so lead with why you're calling; leaving the sentence half-finished with 「〜たいんですが」 is a form of politeness.

2. 明日あしたの七時しちじ、二名にめいでお願ねがいします。

   Tomorrow at seven, for two people, please.

   Use 「二名」 or 「二人（ふたり）」 when giving your own party size; 「何名様」 is the honorific that staff use when asking customers.

3. 予約よやくを変更へんこうしたいんですが。

   I'd like to change my reservation...

4. すみません、キャンセルさせてください。

   Excuse me, I'd like to cancel.

   「〜させてください」 = "please allow me to...", often used for things that need the other person's approval, like canceling or asking for time off.

5. すみません、もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。

   Excuse me, could you say that again, please?

6. 李りと申もうします。よろしくお願ねがいします。

   My name is Li. Thank you.

A complete phone call to reserve a table: the restaurant answers, you make your request, and you leave your name.

1. clerk

   はい、レストラン花はなでございます。

   Hello, this is Hana Restaurant.

   「〜でございます」 is how shops announce themselves, more formal than 「〜です」; customers don't use it.
2. Customer

   明日あしたの夜よる、予約よやくできますか。

   Could I make a reservation for tomorrow night?
3. clerk

   何名様なんめいさまですか。

   How many people are in your party?
4. Customer

   三名さんめいでお願ねがいします。

   Three, please.
5. clerk

   何時なんじごろがよろしいですか。

   Around what time would you like?

   「よろしいですか」 is the polite version of 「いいですか」, used when shop staff ask customers.
6. Customer

   七時しちじはいかがですか。

   How about seven o'clock?
7. clerk

   かしこまりました。お待まちしております。

   Certainly. We look forward to seeing you.