Making a Reservation (Restaurant/Salon)

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TL;DR 🦄

📞 예약하다 [ye-ya-ka-da] — "To make a reservation"

👥 몇 분이세요? [myeot bu-ni-se-yo?] — "How many people?"

🕖 몇 시로 예약할까요? [myeot si-ro ye-ya-kal-kka-yo?] — "What time should I book?"

🔄 예약을 변경하다 [ye-ya-geul byeon-gyeong-ha-da] — "To change a reservation"

❌ 예약을 취소하다 [ye-ya-geul chwi-so-ha-da] — "To cancel a reservation"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice the reservation script at the Korean Helper Widgets — perfect before booking a real restaurant! 🍽️

🌈 The Big Picture

Making a reservation (예약하다 [ye-ya-ka-da]) follows a predictable script: state the date/time, the number of people (몇 명 "how many people"), and your name. Staff will often confirm by repeating the details back to you — listening for numbers and times is the key skill here! 📞

🎭 The Reservation Script

A typical reservation call has these building blocks:

예약하고 싶은데요 [ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de-yo] — "I'd like to make a reservation" 📞

내일 저녁 7시요 [nae-il jeo-nyeok il-gop-si-yo] — "Tomorrow at 7 PM" 🕖

두 명이에요 [du myeong-i-e-yo] — "It's for two people" 👥

이름이 어떻게 되세요? [i-reu-mi eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?] — "May I have your name?" ✍️

예약 확인할게요 [ye-yak hwa-gin-hal-ge-yo] — "Let me confirm the reservation" ✅

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

예약하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-ka-go si-peo-yo] — I'd like to make a reservation 📞

몇 분이세요? [myeot bu-ni-se-yo?] — how many people? 👥

두 명이에요 [du myeong-i-e-yo] — it's for two 👫

몇 시로 예약할까요? [myeot si-ro ye-ya-kal-kka-yo?] — what time should I book? 🕖

내일 저녁 7시요 [nae-il jeo-nyeok il-gop-si-yo] — tomorrow at 7 PM 📅

이름이 어떻게 되세요? [i-reu-mi eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?] — what's your name? ✍️

예약을 변경하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-geul byeon-gyeong-ha-go si-peo-yo] — I'd like to change my reservation 🔄

예약을 취소하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-geul chwi-so-ha-go si-peo-yo] — I'd like to cancel my reservation ❌

자리 있어요? [ja-ri i-sseo-yo?] — do you have a table/seat? 🪑

예약 확인할게요 [ye-yak hwa-gin-hal-ge-yo] — let me confirm the reservation ✅

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 안녕하세요, 예약하고 싶은데요. B: 네, 몇 분이세요? [A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de-yo. B: ne, myeot bu-ni-se-yo?]

A: "Hello, I'd like to make a reservation." B: "Sure, how many people?" 👥 — 예약하고 싶은데요 is the standard opener for booking calls.

A: 내일 저녁 7시에 두 명이요. B: 네, 내일 7시 두 분으로 예약해 드렸습니다. [A: nae-il jeo-nyeo-ge il-gop-si-e du myeong-i-yo. B: ne, nae-il il-gop-si du bu-neu-ro ye-ya-kae deu-ryeot-sseum-ni-da.]

A: "Tomorrow at 7 PM for two." B: "Okay, I've booked it for tomorrow at 7 for two." ✅ — 분 is the honorific counter for "people."

A: 죄송한데 예약을 취소하고 싶어요. B: 네, 어떤 이름으로 예약하셨나요? [A: joe-song-han-de ye-ya-geul chwi-so-ha-go si-peo-yo. B: ne, eo-tteon i-reu-meu-ro ye-ya-ka-syeon-na-yo?]

A: "Sorry, I'd like to cancel my reservation." B: "Sure, under what name was it booked?" ❌ — 죄송한데 softens cancellations and changes.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!

민수: 여보세요, 거기 식당이죠? 예약하고 싶은데요.

[Minsu: yeo-bo-se-yo, geo-gi sik-dang-i-jyo? ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de-yo.]

Minsu: "Hello, is this the restaurant? I'd like to make a reservation."

지은: 네, 안녕하세요. 몇 분이시고 언제로 도와드릴까요?

[Jieun: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. myeot bu-ni-si-go eon-je-ro do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?]

Jieun: "Yes, hello. How many people and for when shall I help you?"

민수: 이번 주 토요일 저녁 6시에 네 명이요.

[Minsu: i-beon ju to-yo-il jeo-nyeok yeo-seot-si-e ne myeong-i-yo.]

Minsu: "This Saturday at 6 PM for four people."

지은: 네, 가능합니다. 이름이 어떻게 되세요?

[Jieun: ne, ga-neung-hap-ni-da. i-reu-mi eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?]

Jieun: "Yes, that's available. What's your name?"

민수: 김민수입니다.

[Minsu: gim-min-su-ip-ni-da.]

Minsu: "It's Kim Minsu."

지은: 토요일 6시, 네 분, 김민수님으로 예약해 드렸습니다.

[Jieun: to-yo-il yeo-seot-si, ne bun, gim-min-su-ni-meu-ro ye-ya-kae deu-ryeot-sseum-ni-da.]

Jieun: "I've booked it for Saturday at 6, four people, under the name Kim Minsu."

🧭 Speaking Tip

The polite counter for people is 분 (used by staff toward customers) versus the plain 명 (used by customers about themselves): say 두 명이에요 ("it's two of us") but expect to hear 몇 분이세요? ("how many people [honorific]?"). Numbers always come BEFORE the counter: 두 명, 네 명, 여섯 시. 📞

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Mixing up 명 (plain counter for people) and 분 (honorific counter) → ✅ Staff say 몇 분이세요?, you reply 두 명이에요.

❌ Forgetting to give the time AND date → ✅ Always pair them: 내일 저녁 7시 ("tomorrow evening at 7").

❌ Saying 취소해요 bluntly → ✅ Soften with 죄송한데 예약을 취소하고 싶어요.

❌ Using Sino-Korean numbers for people count → ✅ Use native Korean numbers: 한 명, 두 명, 세 명, 네 명 (not 일, 이, 삼, 사).

You're ready to book a table like a pro — 예약 성공! 📞✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the best phrase or answer for each situation.

1. Translate: "I'd like to make a reservation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-ka-go si-peo-yo]

2. Translate: "How many people?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

몇 분이세요? [myeot bu-ni-se-yo?]

3. Fill in: 두 ＿＿＿＿이에요. ("It's for two people," speaker referring to self.)

Answer

명 [myeong]

4. Translate: "What time should I book?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

몇 시로 예약할까요? [myeot si-ro ye-ya-kal-kka-yo?]

5. True or False: 분 is the honorific counter for people.

Answer

True

6. Translate: "I'd like to cancel my reservation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약을 취소하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-geul chwi-so-ha-go si-peo-yo]

7. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿이 어떻게 되세요? ("What's your name?")

Answer

이름 [i-reum]

8. Translate: "I'd like to change my reservation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약을 변경하고 싶어요 [ye-ya-geul byeon-gyeong-ha-go si-peo-yo]

9. True or False: 자리 있어요? means "do you have a table?"

Answer

True

10. Practice saying this out loud: 내일 저녁 7시에 두 명 예약하고 싶어요. [nae-il jeo-nyeok il-gop-si-e du myeong ye-ya-ka-go si-peo-yo.]

Answer

"I'd like to reserve a table for two tomorrow at 7 PM." → A complete reservation request!

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Vocabulary Box

예약하다 [ye-ya-ka-da] → make a reservation

취소하다 [chwi-so-ha-da] → cancel

변경하다 [byeon-gyeong-ha-da] → change

몇 명/몇 분 [myeot myeong/myeot bun] → how many people

자리 [ja-ri] → seat/table

이름 [i-reum] → name

확인하다 [hwa-gin-ha-da] → confirm

가능하다 [ga-neung-ha-da] → be possible/available

죄송한데 [joe-song-han-de] → sorry, but...

여보세요 [yeo-bo-se-yo] → hello (on phone)

Pitfalls 💡

명 (self) vs 분 (honorific)

always give date + time

native numbers for people

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Making a Reservation (예약하기)

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice booking like a pro! 📞✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Booking Basics 📞

A. Translate: "Hello, I'd like to make a reservation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

여보세요, 예약하고 싶은데요 [yeo-bo-se-yo, ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de-yo]

B. Translate: "It's for three people." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

세 명이에요 [se myeong-i-e-yo]

C. Fill in: 내일 ＿＿＿＿ 7시요. ("Tomorrow evening at 7.")

Answer

저녁 [jeo-nyeok]

D. True or False: 여보세요 is used only in person, never on the phone.

Answer

False → it's specifically used when answering/starting a phone call.

E. Translate: "Is a table for two available?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

두 명 자리 있어요? [du myeong ja-ri i-sseo-yo?]

F. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿님으로 예약해 드렸습니다. ("I've booked it under the name [Name].")

Answer

(이름) — name + 님 [nim]

G. True or False: 가능하다 means "possible/available."

Answer

True

H. Translate: "What's your name?" (polite) ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이름이 어떻게 되세요? [i-reu-mi eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?]

I. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 확인할게요. ("Let me confirm the reservation.")

Answer

예약 [ye-yak]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주 금요일 저녁 8시에 세 명 예약하고 싶은데, 자리 있을까요? [i-beon ju geu-myo-il jeo-nyeok yeo-deol-si-e se myeong ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de, ja-ri i-sseul-kka-yo?]

Answer

"I'd like to reserve for three this Friday at 8 PM — would there be a table?" → A full booking request!

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Quick Reference:

예약하고 싶어요

몇 명/몇 분

이름이 어떻게 되세요?

Exercise 2 — Changing and Canceling 🔄

A. Translate: "I'd like to change my reservation time." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약 시간을 변경하고 싶어요 [ye-yak si-ga-neul byeon-gyeong-ha-go si-peo-yo]

B. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 8시로 바꿀 수 있을까요? ("Could you change it to 8 instead?")

Answer

대신 [dae-sin]

C. True or False: 바꾸다 means "to change/swap."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "I'm sorry, I need to cancel my reservation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

죄송한데 예약을 취소해야 할 것 같아요 [joe-song-han-de ye-ya-geul chwi-so-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo]

E. Fill in: 인원을 ＿＿＿＿ 명으로 바꿀 수 있어요? ("Can I change the number of people to 5?")

Answer

다섯 [da-seot]

F. True or False: 인원 means "number of people."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "What name was the reservation made under?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약은 어떤 이름으로 하셨나요? [ye-ya-geun eo-tteon i-reu-meu-ro ha-syeon-na-yo?]

H. Fill in: 예약 ＿＿＿＿ 확인 부탁드립니다. ("Please confirm the reservation details.")

Answer

내용 [nae-yong]

I. True or False: 부탁드립니다 is a polite way to say "please."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 죄송한데 시간을 7시에서 8시로 변경하고 싶어요. 가능할까요? [joe-song-han-de si-ga-neul il-gop-si-e-seo yeo-deol-si-ro byeon-gyeong-ha-go si-peo-yo. ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?]

Answer

"Sorry, I'd like to change the time from 7 to 8. Would that be possible?" → Polite and specific!

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Quick Reference:

변경하다/취소하다/바꾸다

인원 = number of people

가능할까요? = would that be possible?

Exercise 3 — Full Reservation Calls 🗣️

A. Call to book a table for 2 tomorrow at 6 PM. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

여보세요, 내일 저녁 6시에 두 명 예약하고 싶은데요. [yeo-bo-se-yo, nae-il jeo-nyeok yeo-seot-si-e du myeong ye-ya-ka-go si-peun-de-yo.]

B. Fill in: 창가 ＿＿＿＿로 부탁드려요. ("A window seat, please.")

Answer

자리 [ja-ri]

C. True or False: 창가 means "by the window."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "Is there a deposit required for the reservation?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

예약 시 예약금이 필요한가요? [ye-yak si ye-yak-geu-mi pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?]

E. The restaurant is full. Ask if there's a waitlist. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

자리가 다 찼으면 웨이팅 가능한가요? [ja-ri-ga da cha-sseu-myeon we-i-ting ga-neung-han-ga-yo?]

F. True or False: 자리가 다 차다 means "to be fully booked."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "We might be 10 minutes late, is that okay?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

10분 정도 늦을 것 같은데 괜찮을까요? [sip-bun jeong-do neu-jeul geot ga-teun-de gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo?]

H. Fill in: 늦으면 ＿＿＿＿ 전화 주세요. ("If you're running late, please call ahead.")

Answer

미리 [mi-ri]

I. True or False: 미리 means "in advance."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 예약 시간에 10분 정도 늦을 것 같아서 미리 전화드렸어요. 괜찮을까요? [ye-yak si-ga-ne sip-bun jeong-do neu-jeul geot ga-ta-seo mi-ri jeon-hwa-deu-ryeo-sseo-yo. gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo?]

Answer

"I called ahead because I think I'll be about 10 minutes late for the reservation. Is that okay?" → Thoughtful and polite!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

창가 자리 = window seat

자리가 다 차다 = fully booked

미리 전화 주세요 = call ahead

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you can make, change, and cancel reservations in Korean — 화이팅! 📞✨