reserva
/reh-SEHR-vah/
reservation
Making a "reserva" for dinner ensures you get the best table.
reserva(noun)
reservation
?booking a table, room, or ticket
,booking
?securing a spot
appointment
?less common, but sometimes used for scheduled time
📝 In Action
¿Tienes una reserva a mi nombre?
A2Do you have a reservation under my name?
Necesitamos hacer la reserva del hotel con antelación.
B1We need to make the hotel booking in advance.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'reserva' is always feminine, so you must use 'la reserva' or 'una reserva'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Hacer'
The most common way to talk about creating a booking is using the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una reserva'.
Keeping a "reserva" of money is essential for emergencies.
reserva(noun)
reserve
?stock of supplies or money
,supply
?stored amount
reserve fund
?financial term
📝 In Action
Debemos mantener una reserva de agua potable en caso de emergencia.
B1We must maintain a reserve of drinking water in case of an emergency.
El banco tiene grandes reservas de oro.
B2The bank has large reserves of gold.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Usage
When talking about large amounts of stored resources, 'reserva' is often used in the plural: 'reservas'.
A nature "reserva" protects endangered plants and animals.
reserva(noun)
reserve
?protected area of land
,preserve
?nature or wildlife protection
reservation
?indigenous or tribal land
📝 In Action
La reserva de la biosfera protege especies raras.
B2The biosphere reserve protects rare species.
El gobierno estableció una nueva reserva marina.
C1The government established a new marine reserve.
💡 Grammar Points
Specific Type
To specify the kind of protected area, you almost always follow 'reserva' with the preposition 'de' (of) and the type: 'reserva de fauna' (wildlife reserve).
Showing "reserva" means keeping your feelings private or acting with restraint.
reserva(noun)
reserve
?emotional restraint or shyness
,caution
?acting with discretion
secrecy
?keeping information confidential
📝 In Action
El testigo habló con mucha reserva sobre los detalles del caso.
C1The witness spoke with great reserve about the details of the case.
Su reserva lo hace parecer distante, pero es una persona amable.
C2His reserve makes him seem distant, but he is a kind person.
💡 Grammar Points
Adverbial Phrase
To describe how someone acts, use the phrase 'con reserva' (with reserve), which functions like an adverb.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: reserva
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'reserva' to mean a supply of resources?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'reserva' ever used for military personnel?
Yes, 'la reserva' can also mean the military reserves—soldiers who are not currently active duty but can be called upon if needed.
What is the difference between 'reserva' and 'reservación'?
'Reserva' is the standard word used across most of the Spanish-speaking world for a booking or reservation (like a table or room). 'Reservación' is a noun derived from the verb, and while it is understood everywhere, it is used primarily in Mexico and parts of Central America.