Meaning
To book a place, time, or service in advance, such as a table or room.
Cultural Background
The 'No-Show' (노쇼) prevention culture is strong. Many places use KakaoTalk to send automated reminders. Popular 'hot places' often use the 'CatchTable' app, where you can see real-time availability. In hospitals, even if you '예약', you might still have to wait 10-20 minutes. For major holidays like Chuseok, train '예약' (actually 예매) is a national competition.
Use Naver Maps
Most Korean businesses allow you to '예약' directly through the Naver Maps app without calling.
No-Show Penalties
Be careful! Some places will blackball your phone number if you no-show twice.
Meaning
To book a place, time, or service in advance, such as a table or room.
Use Naver Maps
Most Korean businesses allow you to '예약' directly through the Naver Maps app without calling.
No-Show Penalties
Be careful! Some places will blackball your phone number if you no-show twice.
The 'Last 4 Digits'
When you arrive, they often ask for the last 4 digits of your phone number to confirm the booking.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '예약'.
오늘 저녁에 식당을 (____) 했어요.
You use '예약' for restaurants.
Which sentence is correct for meeting a friend?
Choose the natural sentence:
Social meetings with friends use '약속'.
Complete the dialogue at a hair salon.
손님: 안녕하세요. 오늘 3시에 (____). 직원: 네, 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
When arriving for a booking, you say '예약했어요'.
Match the word to the situation.
1. Movie Ticket, 2. Doctor Appointment, 3. Meeting a Friend
Tickets = 예매, Services = 예약, Friends = 약속.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Booking vs. Promise
Practice Bank
4 exercises오늘 저녁에 식당을 (____) 했어요.
You use '예약' for restaurants.
Choose the natural sentence:
Social meetings with friends use '약속'.
손님: 안녕하세요. 오늘 3시에 (____). 직원: 네, 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
When arriving for a booking, you say '예약했어요'.
1. Movie Ticket, 2. Doctor Appointment, 3. Meeting a Friend
Tickets = 예매, Services = 예약, Friends = 약속.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsUsually, '약속' or '회의' (meeting) is better, unless you are booking a specific conference room.
Yes, '예약하다' is just the shortened version. Both are perfectly natural.
Most places hold a '예약' for 10-15 minutes before giving it to someone on the waiting list.
Usually no, but for large groups, you can call and ask for '단체 예약'.
You say '예약이 꽉 찼어요' (The reservations are tightly filled).
Related Phrases
예매하다
similarTo buy tickets in advance
약속하다
similarTo make a promise/appointment
취소하다
contrastTo cancel
변경하다
builds onTo change
예약석
specialized formReserved seat
