reservado 30 सेकंड में
- Reservado means 'reserved' in English, used for both bookings and personality.
- Use 'estar' for physical objects like tables and 'ser' for people's character.
- It can also mean 'confidential' in formal or legal Spanish contexts.
- As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun.
The Spanish adjective reservado is a versatile term that functions across physical, social, and legal contexts. At its core, it describes something that is set aside, kept back, or not openly shared. In a physical sense, it refers to spaces or items designated for a specific person or purpose, such as a table in a restaurant or a parking spot. Socially, it describes a personality trait—someone who is private, cautious with their words, or introverted. Legally and formally, it denotes confidentiality, where information is restricted to authorized individuals.
- Physical Availability
- Indicates that an object or space is already claimed or designated for future use.
- Personality Trait
- Describes a person who does not easily reveal their thoughts, feelings, or personal life.
- Confidentiality Level
- Used for documents or information that must remain secret or restricted.
"Lo siento, señor, pero este asiento ya está reservado para otro pasajero."
Understanding the nuance between the uses of ser and estar with this word is crucial. When we say Juan es reservado, we are describing his inherent character—he is a private person. When we say El libro está reservado, we are describing a temporary state of the book being held for someone. This distinction is a fundamental part of mastering Spanish adjectives.
"Es un hombre muy reservado; casi nunca habla de su familia."
- Etymology
- Derived from the Latin 'reservare', meaning to keep back or save for later.
"Este documento tiene carácter reservado y no puede ser publicado."
Using reservado correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as well as the choice of the verb 'to be'. Because it is an adjective, it must match the noun it modifies: reservado (masculine singular), reservada (feminine singular), reservados (masculine plural), and reservadas (feminine plural).
1. Describing Spaces and Objects
When referring to tables, seats, or rooms, use the verb estar. This indicates a temporary state of being booked.
La mesa está reservada a nombre de García.(The table is reserved under the name García.)Estos espacios están reservados para personas con discapacidad.(These spaces are reserved for people with disabilities.)
2. Describing Personality
When describing someone's character, use the verb ser. This indicates a permanent or defining trait.
Mi abuelo era un hombre muy reservado.(My grandfather was a very reserved man.)Ella es reservada, pero muy amable cuando la conoces.(She is reserved, but very kind when you get to know her.)
3. Formal and Legal Contexts
In official documents or business settings, 'reservado' often follows nouns like 'información', 'documento', or 'derecho'.
"Todos los derechos reservados."
It can also act as a noun in specific contexts, such as un reservado, which refers to a private room or a VIP area in a restaurant or club.
You will encounter reservado in a wide variety of daily life scenarios in Spanish-speaking countries. From the bustling streets of Madrid to the quiet offices of Mexico City, the word serves as a boundary marker, both physically and socially.
In Restaurants and Cafes
The most common place for a beginner to see this word is on a small card placed on a dining table. If you see a sign that says RESERVADO, it means you cannot sit there without asking the staff first. Servers will often say, "Esta mesa ya está reservada," if you try to sit down at a claimed spot.
In Social Circles
When people discuss friends or colleagues, they use 'reservado' to explain why someone might not be participating in gossip or sharing personal details. You might hear: "No es que no le caigas bien, es que es un chico muy reservado." (It's not that he doesn't like you, it's just that he's a very private guy.)
In Media and Literature
News reports often mention 'información reservada' when discussing government secrets or ongoing police investigations. In literature, authors use it to create an air of mystery around a character, describing their 'mirada reservada' (reserved look) or 'gestos reservados'.
"El juez declaró el sumario como reservado para proteger a los testigos."
- Public Transport
- Look for 'asientos reservados' near the doors of buses and subways, designated for the elderly, pregnant women, or people with reduced mobility.
While reservado seems straightforward, learners often stumble on specific nuances of Spanish grammar and cultural usage.
1. Ser vs. Estar Confusion
This is the most frequent error. Using the wrong verb changes the meaning entirely.
- Wrong: La mesa es reservada. (This implies the table has a reserved personality).
- Right: La mesa está reservada. (The table is currently booked).
- Wrong: Él está reservado. (This sounds like he has been booked like a hotel room).
- Right: Él es reservado. (He is a private person).
2. False Friends: Reserved vs. Shy
Many learners use 'reservado' when they actually mean 'tímido' (shy). While they can overlap, they are not identical. A reserved person might be very confident but simply prefers to keep their private life private. A shy person feels anxiety or discomfort in social situations.
3. Gender Agreement with 'Información'
Since 'información' is feminine, the adjective must be 'reservada'. Learners often default to the masculine 'reservado'.
"Es una información muy reservada." (Correct) vs "Es una información muy reservado." (Incorrect)
- Agreement Rule
- Always check the gender of the noun. 'El sitio reservado' vs 'La zona reservada'.
To truly master reservado, it helps to understand its synonyms and related terms, as each carries a slightly different weight.
- Discreto
- Refers to someone who can keep a secret or who doesn't want to attract attention. While 'reservado' is about not sharing, 'discreto' is about being tactful.
- Callado
- Simply means 'quiet'. A person can be 'callado' because they have nothing to say, whereas 'reservado' implies they are intentionally holding back information.
- Confidencial
- Used almost exclusively for information or documents. It is more formal than 'reservado' in a social context.
- Introvertido
- A psychological term. An introvert might be 'reservado', but 'reservado' describes the behavior, while 'introvertido' describes the personality type.
"Buscamos a alguien discreto para este puesto de asistente personal."
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have antonyms like extrovertido (extroverted), abierto (open), and público (public). If a space is not 'reservado', it is 'libre' (free) or 'disponible' (available).
How Formal Is It?
कठिनाई स्तर
ज़रूरी व्याकरण
Adjective-Noun agreement
Ser vs Estar with adjectives
Passive voice with 'ser' + participle
Substantivized adjectives (using adjectives as nouns)
Prepositions with adjectives (reservado para/con)
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
La mesa está reservada.
The table is reserved.
Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.
El asiento está reservado.
The seat is reserved.
Masculine singular agreement.
Es un espacio reservado.
It is a reserved space.
Adjective modifying 'espacio'.
La silla no está reservada.
The chair is not reserved.
Negative sentence with 'estar'.
Tengo un sitio reservado.
I have a reserved spot.
Direct object with adjective.
Las mesas están reservadas.
The tables are reserved.
Plural feminine agreement.
Este baño es reservado.
This bathroom is private/reserved.
Describing a permanent function.
El libro está reservado para ti.
The book is reserved for you.
Prepositional phrase 'para ti'.
Pedro es un chico muy reservado.
Pedro is a very reserved boy.
Uses 'ser' for personality.
Mi madre es reservada con los desconocidos.
My mother is reserved with strangers.
Feminine singular personality trait.
Ellos son muy reservados.
They are very reserved.
Plural masculine personality trait.
La zona está reservada para socios.
The area is reserved for members.
Specific destination 'para socios'.
No seas tan reservado, cuéntame qué pasa.
Don't be so reserved, tell me what's happening.
Imperative mood with 'ser'.
Es una información reservada.
It is reserved/private information.
Adjective modifying 'información'.
El hotel tiene habitaciones reservadas.
The hotel has reserved rooms.
Plural feminine agreement.
Siempre ha sido una persona reservada.
He/She has always been a reserved person.
Present perfect with 'ser'.
El restaurante tiene un reservado para cenas privadas.
The restaurant has a private room for private dinners.
Used as a noun meaning 'private room'.
Este es un asunto reservado de la empresa.
This is a private company matter.
Context of confidentiality.
Mantuvieron un tono reservado durante la reunión.
They maintained a reserved tone during the meeting.
Modifying 'tono'.
Todos los derechos están reservados.
All rights are reserved.
Standard legal phrase.
Se sentaron en el reservado del bar.
They sat in the private area of the bar.
Noun usage with 'el'.
Es un hombre reservado, pero muy inteligente.
He is a reserved man, but very intelligent.
Contrast using 'pero'.
La policía maneja datos reservados.
The police handle reserved/confidential data.
Plural masculine agreement.
Prefiero ser reservado con mis planes.
I prefer to be reserved about my plans.
Infinitive 'ser' with adjective.
El acceso está reservado exclusivamente al personal.
Access is reserved exclusively for staff.
Adverb 'exclusivamente' modifying the state.
Su carácter reservado le impide hacer amigos fácilmente.
His reserved character prevents him from making friends easily.
Subject of the sentence.
La empresa se ha reservado el derecho de admisión.
The company has reserved the right of admission.
Pronominal verb 'reservarse'.
Es un documento de carácter estrictamente reservado.
It is a strictly confidential document.
Formal 'de carácter' construction.
A pesar de su éxito, sigue siendo muy reservada.
Despite her success, she continues to be very reserved.
Gerund 'siendo' with 'ser'.
El juez dictó que el caso fuera reservado.
The judge ruled that the case should be private/sealed.
Subjunctive mood after 'dictó'.
Se mostró reservado ante las preguntas de la prensa.
He appeared reserved before the press's questions.
Verb 'mostrarse' + adjective.
Había un área reservada para la prensa.
There was an area reserved for the press.
Imperfect 'había' with noun + adjective.
El paciente se encuentra en estado reservado.
The patient is in a guarded/critical condition.
Medical idiom 'estado reservado'.
Su actitud reservada fue interpretada como arrogancia.
His reserved attitude was interpreted as arrogance.
Passive voice 'fue interpretada'.
La ley protege el ámbito reservado de la vida privada.
The law protects the private sphere of personal life.
Abstract noun phrase.
Se trata de una partida presupuestaria reservada.
It concerns a confidential budget allocation.
Economic/Political context.
El autor mantiene un perfil reservado en redes sociales.
The author maintains a low/reserved profile on social media.
Modern digital context.
La negociación se llevó a cabo en un ambiente reservado.
The negotiation was carried out in a private atmosphere.
Describing 'ambiente'.
Siempre fue parco en palabras y de trato reservado.
He was always sparse with words and of reserved manner.
Literary description.
El veredicto se mantiene bajo secreto reservado.
The verdict is kept under reserved secrecy.
Legal jargon.
La diplomacia exige un comportamiento sumamente reservado.
Diplomacy requires extremely reserved behavior.
Adverb 'sumamente' for intensity.
Su mutismo no era timidez, sino un cálculo reservado.
His silence wasn't shyness, but a calculated reservation.
Nuanced contrast.
Se amparó en el carácter reservado de las actuaciones judiciales.
He took shelter in the confidential nature of the judicial proceedings.
Complex formal verb 'ampararse'.
La estancia, de un lujo reservado, acogió a los mandatarios.
The room, of a discreet luxury, welcomed the leaders.
Literary apposition.
El espía operaba bajo un protocolo estrictamente reservado.
The spy operated under a strictly confidential protocol.
Specific professional context.
Existe un fondo reservado para operaciones de inteligencia.
There is a slush fund for intelligence operations.
Political/Financial term 'fondo reservado'.
Su prosa es elegante, aunque de un estilo algo reservado.
His prose is elegant, though of a somewhat restrained style.
Aesthetic criticism.
La soberanía reside en el pueblo, salvo en ámbitos reservados.
Sovereignty resides in the people, except in reserved spheres.
Political theory context.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें
Being 'reservado' is not necessarily negative; it can imply mystery or professionalism.
'Pronóstico reservado' means the doctor isn't sure yet if the patient will recover.
-
Use 'estar' for temporary states like bookings.
-
Use 'ser' for personality traits.
-
Use 'reserva' for the act of booking, 'reservado' for the place or adjective.
-
Adjectives must match the feminine noun 'información'.
-
Plural masculine noun needs plural masculine adjective.
सुझाव
Agreement
Always match the gender of the noun. 'La mesa' is 'reservada'.
Politeness
Calling someone 'reservado' is more polite than calling them 'antisocial'.
Signs
If you see 'RESERVADO' on a seat, don't sit there!
Noun form
Remember 'un reservado' is a place, not just a description.
Copyright
Look for 'derechos reservados' on the first page of Spanish books.
Health
In news, 'pronóstico reservado' usually means a serious condition.
Meetings
Use 'carácter reservado' to keep your emails professional.
Fluency
Practice saying 'Es un poco reservado' to describe people naturally.
Description
Use it to describe mysterious characters in your writing.
Contrast
Compare it with 'abierto' to remember the meaning.
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a 'RESERVED' sign on a table. Now imagine a person wearing that sign on their chest because they keep their feelings 'back'.
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
Latin
सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
Commonly used in bars for VIP booths.
Crucial for understanding confidentiality agreements (acuerdos de confidencialidad).
Often used interchangeably with 'tímido' in casual speech, though technically different.
असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें
वास्तविक संदर्भ
बातचीत की शुरुआत
"¿Eres una persona reservada o abierta?"
"¿Prefieres comer en el salón principal o en un reservado?"
"¿Has reservado alguna vez una mesa y no has ido?"
"¿Conoces a alguien que sea muy reservado con su vida privada?"
"¿Qué opinas de la gente que es demasiado reservada?"
डायरी विषय
Describe a time you felt 'reservado' in a social situation.
Write about a 'sitio reservado' that is special to you.
Is it better to be 'reservado' or 'extrovertido' in your profession?
How do you feel when you see a 'reservado' sign at your favorite spot?
Reflect on the importance of 'información reservada' in the government.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालUsually no. 'Él está reservado' is grammatically rare and would imply he has been booked like a service. Use 'ser' for personality.
Yes, in many contexts like 'información reservada' (private information) or 'un reservado' (a private room).
It's a medical term meaning the outcome is uncertain and the doctors are waiting to see how the patient evolves.
You say 'Todos los derechos reservados'.
It is neutral. It depends on the context and the person's culture.
It is a synonym, but 'reservado' focuses on not sharing info, while 'tímido' focuses on the feeling of nervousness.
It refers to a VIP area or a private booth.
Yes, it becomes 'reservados' or 'reservadas'.
Yes, 'aparcamiento reservado' or 'sitio reservado'.
Yes, it is a universal Spanish word.
खुद को परखो 180 सवाल
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'reservado' involves distinguishing between temporary states (estar) and permanent traits (ser), while recognizing its formal meaning of confidentiality in professional settings.
- Reservado means 'reserved' in English, used for both bookings and personality.
- Use 'estar' for physical objects like tables and 'ser' for people's character.
- It can also mean 'confidential' in formal or legal Spanish contexts.
- As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun.
Agreement
Always match the gender of the noun. 'La mesa' is 'reservada'.
Politeness
Calling someone 'reservado' is more polite than calling them 'antisocial'.
Signs
If you see 'RESERVADO' on a seat, don't sit there!
Noun form
Remember 'un reservado' is a place, not just a description.
उदाहरण
La mesa está reservada a tu nombre.
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
business के और शब्द
a cambio
B1के बदले में। 'मैं तुम्हें अपनी कलम के बदले अपनी किताब देता हूँ।'
a cambio de
B1के बदले में। इसका उपयोग विनिमय या शर्त को दर्शाने के लिए किया जाता है।
a cargo de
B1के प्रभारी; की जिम्मेदारी पर।
a diario
B1इसका अर्थ है 'हर दिन' या 'रोजाना'। इसका उपयोग नियमित आदतों का वर्णन करने के लिए किया जाता है।
a excepción de
B1के अपवाद के साथ; को छोड़कर। 'उसे छोड़कर सब आए।'
a fin de que
B1एक संयोजक जो उद्देश्य के खंड को पेश करने के लिए प्रयोग किया जाता है, जिसका अर्थ है 'ताकि' या 'इस उद्देश्य से कि'।
a fondo
B1Thoroughly or in depth.
a la vez
B1स्पेनिश वाक्यांश 'a la vez' का मतलब है कि दो या दो से अधिक चीजें एक ही समय में हो रही हैं; एक साथ। इसका उपयोग समानांतर क्रियाओं को इंगित करने के लिए किया जाता है।
a medida que
B1At the same rate or in the same way as.
a medio plazo
B1मध्यम अवधि में, एक मध्यम समय सीमा के दौरान।
