reservado
reservado en 30 secondes
- Reservado means 'reserved' or 'private'. It describes both people's personalities and the status of booked items like tables.
- Use 'ser' for a reserved personality and 'estar' for a reserved (booked) object or temporary state of a person.
- Always match the gender and number: reservado, reservada, reservados, reservadas. It usually follows the noun it describes.
- It is a polite way to describe someone quiet and is essential for navigating restaurants and public transport in Portuguese.
The Portuguese word reservado is a versatile adjective that functions primarily in two spheres: describing human personality and indicating the status of physical spaces or objects. At its core, it translates to 'reserved' in English, but its application carries specific cultural weight in Lusophone countries. When referring to a person, someone who is reservado is not necessarily shy (tímido), but rather someone who chooses to keep their thoughts, feelings, and private life to themselves. It is often seen as a sign of maturity or professional discretion rather than social anxiety. In the context of physical spaces, it indicates that something has been set aside for a specific person or purpose, much like a 'reserved' sign on a restaurant table. Understanding the distinction between these uses is crucial for A2 learners who are beginning to navigate social etiquette and basic logistical interactions in Portuguese-speaking environments.
- Personal Character
- Describes an individual who is cautious about sharing personal information or emotions. It implies a deliberate choice of privacy.
- Logistical Status
- Refers to tables, seats, or rooms that are booked or unavailable for general use.
- Environmental Tone
- Used to describe an atmosphere that is quiet, private, or exclusive, such as a 'lugar reservado' in a park or a 'clube reservado'.
O meu tio é um homem muito reservado, mas ele é muito gentil quando o conhecemos melhor.
In Brazil, the word might be used slightly less frequently in casual conversation than in Portugal, where a certain level of 'reserva' is often culturally expected in formal introductions. However, in both dialects, saying 'Este lugar está reservado' is the standard way to protect a seat. Linguistically, it is the past participle of the verb reservar, which means 'to reserve' or 'to keep back'. This origin helps learners understand that the adjective implies something that is being 'held back' from the public eye or general access. Whether you are describing a quiet colleague or a VIP lounge, reservado conveys a sense of boundaries and intentionality.
Desculpe, este assento já está reservado para o palestrante.
- Social Context
- Used in professional settings to describe a colleague who doesn't gossip or share much about their weekend.
Furthermore, the word scales with gender and number. For a woman, you must use reservada. For a group of people, reservados or reservadas. This grammatical agreement is a common stumbling block for English speakers who are used to the invariant 'reserved'. Practice saying 'Ela é reservada' versus 'Ele é reservado' to build muscle memory. In more advanced contexts, the word can even describe information, such as 'informação reservada' (confidential information), showing how the concept of 'holding back' applies to data as much as it does to people and places.
Using reservado correctly requires attention to the verb it pairs with, as Portuguese distinguishes between permanent traits and temporary states. When describing a person's character, we use the verb ser (to be - permanent). For example, 'Ele é reservado' implies that being quiet is part of his personality. Conversely, when referring to a table in a restaurant, we use estar (to be - temporary/situational), as in 'A mesa está reservada'. This distinction is vital for sounding natural. If you say 'A mesa é reservada', you are implying that the table has a personality trait of being shy, which would sound quite humorous to a native speaker!
- With 'Ser' (Personality)
- O João sempre foi muito reservado sobre a sua vida pessoal. (João has always been very reserved about his personal life.)
- With 'Estar' (Status)
- Este lugar na frente está reservado para os idosos. (This seat in the front is reserved for the elderly.)
Nós preferimos um canto mais reservado do restaurante para conversar em paz.
The word often appears in the phrase 'direitos reservados' (rights reserved), which you will see at the bottom of websites or in the front of books. In this context, it functions as a formal legal term. Another common usage is in the phrase 'foro reservado' or 'ambiente reservado', referring to a private or restricted environment. When you are writing, remember that reservado usually follows the noun it modifies. Instead of saying 'a reserved person', you say 'uma pessoa reservada'. This adjective-noun order is standard in Portuguese and helps emphasize the quality of the person or object being discussed.
For learners at the A2 level, focusing on the contrast between 'reservado' and 'aberto' (open/extroverted) is a great way to expand your descriptive vocabulary. You might describe a friend by saying, 'A Maria não é reservada, ela é muito aberta e fala com todo mundo'. This use of opposites helps solidify the meaning in your mind. Additionally, in professional emails, you might encounter the word in the context of 'assunto reservado' (confidential subject), warning you that the contents of the message should not be shared widely. This versatility makes reservado a high-frequency word that bridges the gap between basic social interaction and more formal, structured communication.
Eles mantêm um perfil reservado nas redes sociais para proteger a família.
In daily life, the most frequent place you will encounter the word reservado is in the hospitality industry. Walking into a café in Lisbon or a churrascaria in São Paulo, you will see small acrylic or wooden signs on tables that simply say 'RESERVADO'. This is the universal signal that someone has called ahead. You will also hear it in theaters or during events when an usher might say, 'Estes assentos são reservados para a imprensa' (These seats are reserved for the press). In these scenarios, the word is functional and direct, requiring no additional explanation.
- In Restaurants
- 'Temos um espaço reservado para grupos grandes no andar de cima.'
- In Offices
- 'O diretor é um homem reservado e prefere reuniões individuais.'
Ao entrar no banco, vi que a área VIP era um espaço muito reservado.
Beyond physical spaces, reservado is a staple of personality descriptions in literature and journalism. When a famous actor or politician is described in a profile, journalists often use 'reservado' to describe their reluctance to discuss their private life. You might hear, 'Apesar da fama, ela sempre foi muito reservada'. This usage elevates the conversation from simple adjectives like 'quieto' (quiet) to a more nuanced understanding of personal boundaries. It suggests a level of dignity and self-possession that is highly valued in many Portuguese-speaking cultures.
In formal documents and legal contexts, the word takes on a more serious tone. You will see 'Uso Reservado' on government forms or internal company documents, meaning 'For Internal Use Only' or 'Restricted Use'. This highlights the word's connection to the concept of restriction. Even in casual gossip, you might hear someone say, 'Ele é meio reservado, né?' as a way of expressing that someone is hard to get to know. It’s a polite way to describe someone who isn't the 'life of the party' without being insulting. Whether it's a sign on a door or a description of a friend, reservado is a key building block for describing the boundaries between the public and the private.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with reservado is failing to adjust for gender and number. Because 'reserved' never changes in English, learners often say 'Elas são reservado' instead of the correct Elas são reservadas. Always look at the subject of your sentence! If you are talking about a group of women or feminine nouns (like 'cadeiras' - chairs), the ending must be '-as'. If it's a group of men or mixed gender, use '-os'. This is a fundamental rule of Portuguese grammar that reservado follows strictly.
- Incorrect Gender
- *A mesa está reservado. (Wrong) -> A mesa está reservada. (Correct)
- Confusing with 'Tímido'
- Calling a shy child 'reservado' might sound too formal. Use 'tímido' for social nervousness and 'reservado' for a preference for privacy.
Não diga 'Eu sou reservado' se você quer dizer que tem vergonha de falar; diga 'Eu sou tímido'.
Another common error is using the wrong 'to be' verb. As mentioned previously, using ser with a table implies the table has a personality. Conversely, using estar with a person might imply they are being unusually quiet at this moment, rather than it being their general nature. 'Ele está reservado hoje' means 'He is being quiet today (but usually isn't)'. 'Ele é reservado' means 'He is a quiet person'. Understanding this 'ser vs. estar' nuance will significantly improve your fluency and prevent awkward misunderstandings.
Finally, avoid overusing reservado when you actually mean 'booked' for a service like a hotel room. While you can say 'O quarto está reservado', it is more common to use the verb form in the past participle 'feito uma reserva' (made a reservation). Also, be careful with the word 'discreto'. While 'discreto' and 'reservado' are synonyms, 'discreto' often refers to someone who doesn't like to draw attention to their appearance or wealth, whereas 'reservado' specifically refers to their communication and emotional expression. Distinguishing these subtle differences will make your Portuguese sound much more sophisticated.
To truly master the concept of being reservado, it's helpful to explore its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the context, you might want a word that is more specific or carries a different emotional weight. For instance, discreto is a very close relative. Someone who is discreto doesn't like to show off or be the center of attention. While a reservado person doesn't talk much about themselves, a discreto person might talk a lot but never about things that would make them stand out. Understanding these nuances is key for B1 and B2 levels.
- Discreto vs. Reservado
- Discreto implies not wanting to be noticed (low profile); Reservado implies not wanting to share personal details (private).
- Tímido vs. Reservado
- Tímido is about fear or anxiety in social settings; Reservado is a personality trait of being quiet and private by choice.
- Retraído
- A stronger term than reservado, often implying someone who has withdrawn from social interaction entirely.
Ele não é apenas reservado; ele é antissocial e raramente sai de casa.
If you are looking for alternatives to describe a place that is 'reservado', you might use privado (private) or exclusivo (exclusive). A 'sala privada' sounds more official and separated from the public than a 'lugar reservado', which might just be a table in the middle of a busy room. For objects, guardado (kept/stored) is sometimes used if something is being held for someone, but it doesn't carry the 'booked' connotation that reservado does. In business, 'confidencial' is the best alternative for 'informação reservada'.
Finally, consider the antonyms. The most common is extrovertido (extroverted) or comunicativo (communicative). If a place is the opposite of reservado, it is público (public) or aberto (open). By learning these clusters of words, you create a semantic web in your brain that makes it easier to recall the right word at the right time. Instead of just knowing one word for 'reserved', you now have a toolkit of five or six words to describe different shades of privacy and personality.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The root 'servare' (to keep/watch) is the same root found in 'preserve' and 'observe'. In ancient times, it literally meant to keep something safe in a storehouse.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing the 's' like 'ss' (it should be 'z').
- Making the final 'o' a strong 'OH' instead of a soft 'u'.
- Failing to vibrate the 'v' sound.
- Using an English 'r' instead of the Portuguese 'r'.
- Stress on the last syllable.
Niveau de difficulté
Easy to recognize due to English cognate 'reserved'.
Must remember gender/number agreement and ser/estar distinction.
Pronunciation of 'r' and 's' can be tricky for beginners.
Commonly heard in restaurants and public announcements.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Exemples par niveau
O café está reservado.
The coffee shop is reserved.
Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.
Ele é um homem reservado.
He is a reserved man.
Uses 'ser' for a personality trait.
Esta mesa está reservada.
This table is reserved.
Feminine agreement with 'mesa'.
Eu sou um pouco reservada.
I am a little reserved (female speaker).
Feminine form 'reservada'.
O lugar está reservado para você.
The seat is reserved for you.
Preposition 'para' indicates the beneficiary.
Eles são muito reservados.
They are very reserved.
Plural masculine form.
O meu irmão não é reservado.
My brother is not reserved.
Negation using 'não'.
Onde está o espaço reservado?
Where is the reserved space?
Interrogative sentence.
Nós precisamos de um lugar mais reservado.
We need a more private place.
Comparative 'mais reservado'.
A Maria é reservada, mas muito simpática.
Maria is reserved, but very nice.
Use of 'mas' to contrast traits.
Estes assentos são reservados para idosos.
These seats are reserved for the elderly.
Plural agreement 'assentos reservados'.
O hotel tem um salão reservado para festas.
The hotel has a reserved hall for parties.
Noun-adjective order.
Ele ficou reservado durante a reunião.
He remained reserved during the meeting.
Verb 'ficar' used to describe a temporary behavior.
Ela sempre foi uma criança reservada.
She was always a reserved child.
Past tense 'foi' with personality trait.
O restaurante estava todo reservado ontem.
The restaurant was all reserved yesterday.
Past tense of 'estar'.
Você é uma pessoa reservada ou extrovertida?
Are you a reserved or extroverted person?
Contrast between antonyms.
É importante manter um perfil reservado na internet.
It is important to maintain a reserved profile on the internet.
Infinitive phrase 'manter um perfil'.
O documento contém informações de caráter reservado.
The document contains information of a reserved nature.
Formal phrase 'caráter reservado'.
Eu prefiro não falar, sou muito reservado com as minhas finanças.
I prefer not to talk, I am very reserved with my finances.
Preposition 'com' used to specify the topic.
Se o lugar estivesse reservado, haveria uma placa.
If the place were reserved, there would be a sign.
Imperfect subjunctive 'estivesse'.
O diretor é conhecido por ser extremamente reservado.
The director is known for being extremely reserved.
Adverb 'extremamente' as an intensifier.
Eles pediram um atendimento mais reservado no hospital.
They asked for more private care at the hospital.
Noun 'atendimento' modified by 'reservado'.
Apesar de reservada, ela sabe se expressar muito bem.
Despite being reserved, she knows how to express herself very well.
Conjunction 'apesar de'.
O acesso a esta área é reservado a funcionários.
Access to this area is reserved for employees.
Passive construction.
A sua atitude reservada foi interpretada como arrogância.
His reserved attitude was interpreted as arrogance.
Passive voice 'foi interpretada'.
O autor mantém uma vida reservada, longe dos holofotes.
The author maintains a reserved life, away from the spotlight.
Idiomatic 'longe dos holofotes'.
Trata-se de um assunto reservado que não deve ser discutido aqui.
This is a reserved matter that should not be discussed here.
Formal 'Trata-se de'.
A empresa possui um fundo reservado para emergências.
The company has a reserved fund for emergencies.
Financial context.
Ela agiu de forma reservada para não atrair atenção indesejada.
She acted in a reserved way so as not to attract unwanted attention.
Adverbial phrase 'de forma reservada'.
O veredito foi mantido em segredo reservado até a manhã seguinte.
The verdict was kept in reserved secrecy until the following morning.
Legal context.
Mesmo sendo reservado, ele não hesitou em defender os seus amigos.
Even being reserved, he did not hesitate to defend his friends.
Gerund 'sendo'.
O hotel oferece um serviço de transporte reservado para os hóspedes VIP.
The hotel offers a reserved shuttle service for VIP guests.
Compound noun phrase.
A diplomacia exige um comportamento reservado e estratégico.
Diplomacy requires reserved and strategic behavior.
High-level vocabulary 'diplomacia', 'estratégico'.
O seu silêncio reservado falava mais do que mil palavras.
His reserved silence spoke louder than a thousand words.
Metaphorical usage.
A lei protege o direito ao foro reservado em casos específicos.
The law protects the right to a reserved jurisdiction in specific cases.
Legal terminology 'foro reservado'.
Ela cultiva uma aura reservada que intriga todos ao seu redor.
She cultivates a reserved aura that intrigues everyone around her.
Abstract noun 'aura'.
O projeto foi desenvolvido em um ambiente estritamente reservado.
The project was developed in a strictly reserved environment.
Adverb 'estritamente' modifying the adjective.
Sua natureza reservada é um reflexo de sua educação rigorosa.
His reserved nature is a reflection of his rigorous upbringing.
Causal relationship.
O arquivo reservado continha provas cruciais para o processo.
The reserved file contained crucial evidence for the lawsuit.
Adjective 'cruciais'.
Muitos filósofos defendem a vida reservada como o caminho para a paz.
Many philosophers advocate for a reserved life as the path to peace.
Philosophical context.
A sobriedade de seu estilo reservado conferia-lhe uma autoridade natural.
The sobriety of his reserved style gave him a natural authority.
Complex sentence structure with clitic pronoun 'lhe'.
O uso reservado da linguagem pode ser uma ferramenta poderosa de persuasão.
The reserved use of language can be a powerful tool of persuasion.
Abstract application to linguistics.
A obra do poeta é marcada por um lirismo reservado e melancólico.
The poet's work is marked by a reserved and melancholic lyricism.
Literary criticism.
Havia uma cláusula de uso reservado no contrato de confidencialidade.
There was a reserved use clause in the confidentiality agreement.
Technical legal jargon.
A aristocracia europeia era conhecida por seu distanciamento reservado.
The European aristocracy was known for its reserved detachment.
Historical/Sociological context.
O segredo, embora reservado a poucos, acabou por transparecer.
The secret, though reserved for a few, eventually came to light.
Concessive clause 'embora'.
Sua reticência não era timidez, mas uma escolha deliberadamente reservada.
His reticence was not shyness, but a deliberately reserved choice.
Precision in defining personality.
O espaço reservado à reflexão teórica na universidade está diminuindo.
The space reserved for theoretical reflection in the university is shrinking.
Metaphorical space.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— Standard way to ask if a seat or table is taken.
Com licença, este lugar está reservado?
— Standard copyright notice found in books and websites.
© 2023 SubLearn. Todos os direitos reservados.
— A quiet or secluded spot, often in a restaurant or park.
Vamos sentar naquele canto reservado ali.
— To remain quiet or not participate much in a conversation.
Ele preferiu ficar reservado durante a discussão.
— A restricted area, usually for authorized personnel only.
Não entre na área reservada sem autorização.
— A table that has been booked by a customer.
Nós temos uma mesa reservada para as oito horas.
— Confidential or sensitive data not for public consumption.
O acesso à informação reservada é restrito.
— A seat designated for a specific person or group.
O assento reservado para deficientes deve ser respeitado.
— A common Brazilian idiom for being reserved/private.
O meu vizinho é muito na dele, bem reservado.
— To deliberately choose to stay quiet or private about something.
Ela preferiu manter-se reservada sobre o divórcio.
Expressions idiomatiques
— To do something quietly or keep a secret to one's advantage, often related to being reserved.
Ele descobriu a falha e comeu calado para ganhar o prêmio.
Informal— To mind one's own business or stay in one's private bubble.
Eu prefiro ficar na minha e não me envolver em fofocas.
Informal/Slang— To keep something 'under seven keys' (extremely private/reserved).
Ela guarda os seus planos a sete chaves.
Idiomatic— To keep a secret (literally 'crab's mouth'), common for reserved people.
Pode confiar em mim, é boca de siri!
Slang (Brazil)— A 'lone wolf', often used to describe a very reserved man.
Ele sempre foi um lobo solitário, muito reservado.
Neutral— To live in one's own world, describing extreme reservation.
O artista vive no seu próprio mundo reservado.
Neutral— To not 'open the game' (to not reveal one's thoughts or plans).
O político é reservado e ainda não abriu o jogo sobre a candidatura.
Informal— Silent as a tomb.
Sobre esse assunto, ele é mudo como uma tumba.
Formal/Literary— To become more reserved or less aggressive in speech.
Depois da bronca, ele baixou o tom e ficou reservado.
Neutral— To walk on eggshells, often how people feel around a very reserved person.
Temos que pisar em ovos com ele, ele é muito reservado.
InformalFamille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'RESERVoir'. A reservoir keeps water held back and quiet until it's needed. A 'reservado' person keeps their thoughts held back and quiet.
Association visuelle
Imagine a restaurant table with a small sign that says 'RESERVADO' next to a quiet person reading a book alone. Both are 'set apart'.
Word Web
Défi
Try to describe three people you know using 'reservado' or 'extrovertido' in full Portuguese sentences today.
Origine du mot
From the Latin 'reservatus', which is the past participle of 'reservare'.
Sens originel : 'To keep back', 'to save', or 'to retain for future use'.
Romance (Latin root).Contexte culturel
Be careful not to use 'reservado' as a synonym for 'unfriendly'. In Portuguese, a reserved person can still be very 'gentil' (kind).
Similar to the British 'stiff upper lip' or general 'reserve', but more focused on privacy than just emotional suppression.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Restaurant
- Esta mesa está reservada?
- Eu tenho um lugar reservado.
- Gostaria de um canto reservado.
- O restaurante está todo reservado.
Work
- Ele é um colega reservado.
- É um assunto reservado.
- Informação de uso reservado.
- Mantenha o perfil reservado.
Public Transport
- Assento reservado para idosos.
- Este banco está reservado?
- Respeite o espaço reservado.
- Área reservada para cadeirantes.
Socializing
- Ela é muito reservada.
- Não seja tão reservado!
- Ele ficou reservado a noite toda.
- Somos pessoas reservadas.
Legal/Copyright
Summary
The word 'reservado' is a versatile adjective used for personality (private) and logistics (booked). Always remember to change the ending to 'a' for feminine nouns and use 'estar' for temporary bookings. Example: 'A mesa está reservada' vs 'Ele é reservado'.
- Reservado means 'reserved' or 'private'. It describes both people's personalities and the status of booked items like tables.
- Use 'ser' for a reserved personality and 'estar' for a reserved (booked) object or temporary state of a person.
- Always match the gender and number: reservado, reservada, reservados, reservadas. It usually follows the noun it describes.
- It is a polite way to describe someone quiet and is essential for navigating restaurants and public transport in Portuguese.
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur emotions
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Ébranlé ou bouleversé. Il s'est senti très ébranlé après avoir entendu la nouvelle.
abalar
A2Ébranler ou troubler profondément. La nouvelle a ébranlé sa confiance.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1D'une manière abattue ou découragée. Il exprime un sentiment de défaite profonde et de fatigue physique ou morale.
abatido
A2Il a l'air abattu après l'annonce des résultats.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2Ouvertement; d'une manière qui n'est pas cachée.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.