Inklingo

How to Say "reservation" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “reservation” is “reserva” — use 'reserva' when you are booking a table at a restaurant, a room in a hotel, or a ticket for an event or transportation..

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reserva

reh-SEHR-vah/reˈseɾ.βa/

nounA2general
Use 'reserva' when you are booking a table at a restaurant, a room in a hotel, or a ticket for an event or transportation.
An elegant restaurant table where the chair is draped with a decorative red ribbon, visually indicating it is set aside and unavailable.

Examples

¿Tienes una reserva a mi nombre?

Do you have a reservation under my name?

Necesitamos hacer la reserva del hotel con antelación.

We need to make the hotel booking in advance.

La reserva de la biosfera protege especies raras.

The biosphere reserve protects rare species.

El gobierno estableció una nueva reserva marina.

The government established a new marine reserve.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'reserva' is always feminine, so you must use 'la reserva' or 'una reserva'.

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).

asiento

ah-SYEN-toh/aˈsjento/

nounB1general
Use 'asiento' specifically when referring to a reserved seat on a plane, train, or bus, or a specific place or slot.
A plush blue airplane seat next to a window, clearly marked with a small red tag tied to the seatbelt buckle indicating it is reserved.

Examples

Llamé para confirmar el asiento en el vuelo de mañana.

I called to confirm the booking on tomorrow's flight.

¿Ya tienes tu número de asiento para el tren?

Do you already have your reservation number for the train?

Hicimos un asiento triple para el teatro, pero solo vinimos dos.

We made a triple booking for the theater, but only two of us came.

Context is Key

When used in relation to travel or tickets, 'asiento' means the physical space that has been reserved for you.

reserva

nounB2formal
Use 'reserva' to refer to a protected area of land, such as a nature reserve or biosphere reserve.

Examples

La reserva de la biosfera protege especies raras.

The biosphere reserve protects rare species.

Booking vs. Seat

The most common mistake is using 'asiento' for all types of bookings. Remember that 'reserva' is used for the general act of booking (a table, room, ticket), while 'asiento' refers to the specific physical place you will occupy, like a seat on a plane.

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