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Phrasebook

English Phrases for Making Reservations

Whether you call a restaurant, book a hotel room or reserve a tour, the same few phrases do most of the work. Learn how to ask, give your details, change a booking and check in when you arrive.

33 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Booking a table

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to make a reservation, please.

A2

UK: "I'd like to book a table."

Rezervasyon yaptırmak istiyorum, lütfen.
  • Sure. For how many people?
  • For what time?

A table for four at 7:30 tonight, please.

A2

English speakers usually say "seven thirty", not "nineteen thirty".

Bu akşam saat 19.30'a dört kişilik bir masa, lütfen.
  • Let me check. Yes, we can do that.

Do you have a table for two this Saturday?

A2
Bu cumartesi iki kişilik masanız var mı?
  • We're fully booked at eight, but we have six thirty.
  • Lunch or dinner?

Do you take walk-ins?

B1

A walk-in is a guest without a reservation.

Rezervasyonsuz müşteri kabul ediyor musunuz?
  • Yes, but there may be a wait.
  • Only at the bar.

Could we have a table by the window?

A2
Pencere kenarında bir masa alabilir miyiz?
  • I'll make a note of that, but I can't promise.

Do you have outdoor seating?

A2

Also: "Can we sit outside?" US places often say patio; British places often say terrace or garden.

Dışarıda oturacak yeriniz var mı?
  • Yes, we have a patio.
  • Only when the weather is nice.

One of us has a nut allergy.

B1

Mention allergies when you book, not only when you order.

Birimizin kuruyemiş alerjisi var.
  • Thanks for letting us know. I'll tell the kitchen.

We'll need a high chair.

A2
Bir mama sandalyesine ihtiyacımız olacak.
  • No problem. We'll have one ready.

It's for a birthday.

A2
Bir doğum günü için.
  • Lovely. I'll add a note to the booking.

Booking a room or a tour

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to book a double room for three nights.

A2

A double room has one big bed. A twin room has two single beds.

Üç gece için çift kişilik oda ayırtmak istiyorum.
  • Sure. From which date?

We'll be arriving on the 12th and leaving on the 15th.

B1

Say "the twelfth" and "the fifteenth".

Ayın 12'sinde gelip 15'inde ayrılacağız.
  • So that's three nights. Let me check availability.

Is breakfast included?

A2
Kahvaltı dahil mi?
  • Yes, it's served from seven to ten.
  • No, it's extra.

Is this rate refundable?

B1

Non-refundable rates are cheaper, but you don't get your money back if you cancel.

Bu fiyat iade edilebilir mi?
  • Yes, you can cancel for free up to two days before.

Do I need to book in advance?

A2
Önceden rezervasyon yapmam gerekiyor mu?
  • It's a good idea on weekends.

I'd like to book two tickets for the three o'clock tour.

A2
Saat üçteki tur için iki bilet ayırtmak istiyorum.
  • Sure. Adults or children?

Are there any spots left?

B1

UK: "places".

Hiç yer kaldı mı?
  • Just two.
  • Sorry, it's sold out.

Giving your details

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

The reservation is under the name Demir.

B1

Short form: "It's under Demir."

Rezervasyon Demir adına.
  • Could you spell that, please?

That's D-E-M-I-R.

A1

Practice the English alphabet so you can spell your name quickly.

Harf harf D-E-M-İ-R.
  • Thank you. Got it.

You can reach me at this number.

A2
Bana bu numaradan ulaşabilirsiniz.
  • Great. We'll text you a confirmation.

Do you need a credit card to hold the reservation?

B1
Rezervasyonu garantilemek için kredi kartı gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, but we only charge it if you don't show up.

Could you send me a confirmation email?

A2
Bana onay e-postası gönderebilir misiniz?
  • Of course. What's your email address?

What's your cancellation policy?

B1
İptal koşullarınız neler?
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before.

Changing or cancelling

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to change my reservation.

A2
Rezervasyonumu değiştirmek istiyorum.
  • Of course. What's the name?

Could we move it to eight o'clock?

B1

Also: "push it back" (later) or "bring it forward" (earlier).

Saat sekize alabilir miyiz?
  • Let me see. Yes, eight is fine.

Can we add one more person?

A2
Bir kişi daha ekleyebilir miyiz?
  • Let me see if we have a bigger table.

We're running about 15 minutes late.

B1

Call ahead if you're late, or they may give your table to someone else.

Yaklaşık 15 dakika gecikeceğiz.
  • No problem. We'll hold the table.

I'm afraid I need to cancel my reservation.

B1

"I'm afraid" softens bad news.

Maalesef rezervasyonumu iptal etmem gerekiyor.
  • That's no problem. Thanks for letting us know.

Is there a cancellation fee?

B1
İptal ücreti var mı?
  • Not if you cancel before six tonight.

When you arrive

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Hi, we have a reservation for 7:30.

A2
Merhaba, saat 19.30 için rezervasyonumuz var.
  • Great. Under what name?

I booked online.

A2
İnternetten rezervasyon yaptım.
  • Let me find it. What's the name?

Here's my confirmation number.

A2
Buyurun, onay numaram.
  • Thank you. I've found your booking.

We booked a table for six, not four.

B1
Dört değil, altı kişilik masa ayırtmıştık.
  • I'm sorry about that. Let me fix it.

There seems to be a mistake with my booking.

B2
Rezervasyonumda bir hata var gibi görünüyor.
  • I'm sorry. Let me check that for you.

Sample dialogues

Booking a table by phone

Host
Good afternoon, Bella Cucina. How can I help you?
İyi günler, Bella Cucina. Size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
Caller
Hi, I'd like to make a reservation for Saturday night.
Merhaba, cumartesi akşamı için rezervasyon yaptırmak istiyorum.
Host
Sure. For how many people, and what time?
Tabii. Kaç kişi ve saat kaçta?
Caller
A table for four at eight o'clock, please.
Saat sekize dört kişilik bir masa, lütfen.
Host
We're fully booked at eight. Is eight thirty okay?
Sekizde tamamen doluyuz. Sekiz buçuk olur mu?
Caller
Yes, that's fine. One of us has a nut allergy.
Evet, olur. Birimizin kuruyemiş alerjisi var.
Host
Thanks, I'll tell the kitchen. What name is it under?
Teşekkürler, mutfağa söyleyeceğim. Kimin adına?
Caller
Demir. That's D-E-M-I-R.
Demir. Harf harf D-E-M-İ-R.
Host
Perfect. We'll see you on Saturday at eight thirty.
Harika. Cumartesi sekiz buçukta görüşmek üzere.

Changing a hotel booking

Guest
Hi, I'd like to change my reservation, please.
Merhaba, rezervasyonumu değiştirmek istiyorum, lütfen.
Receptionist
Of course. What name is it under?
Tabii. Kimin adına?
Guest
Kaya. We were going to arrive on the 12th, but now we can only come on the 13th.
Kaya. Ayın 12'sinde gelecektik ama artık ancak 13'ünde gelebiliriz.
Receptionist
No problem. So that's two nights instead of three?
Sorun değil. Yani üç yerine iki gece mi?
Guest
Yes. Is there a fee for the change?
Evet. Değişiklik için bir ücret var mı?
Receptionist
No, your rate is refundable, so there's no charge.
Hayır, fiyatınız iade edilebilir, bu yüzden ücret yok.
Guest
Great. Could you send me a new confirmation email?
Harika. Bana yeni bir onay e-postası gönderebilir misiniz?
Receptionist
Sure. You'll get it in a few minutes.
Tabii. Birkaç dakika içinde gelir.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I want to make a rezervation.

I'd like to make a reservation.

The English spelling is "reservation" with an "s". "I'd like" is also more polite than "I want".

A table for four person.

A table for four, please.

You can just say the number. If you add a noun, use the plural: "for four people".

The reservation is to the name Demir.

The reservation is under the name Demir.

Turkish "Demir adına" becomes "under the name Demir" or simply "under Demir".

Is there empty table?

Do you have a table available?

"Empty" sounds physical. English uses "available" or "free", and "table" needs an article.

Can I take a reservation?

Can I make a reservation?

The customer "makes" a reservation and the restaurant "takes" it. Turkish "rezervasyon almak" can mislead you here.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. In British English, "make a reservation" at a restaurant is often...

  2. 2. Complete: "The reservation is ___ the name Kaya."

  3. 3. A guest who arrives without a reservation is a...

  4. 4. A hotel room with two single beds is a...

  5. 5. "We're fully booked" means...

  6. 6. A "non-refundable" rate means...

  7. 7. You will be 10 minutes late. You call and say...

  8. 8. You want an earlier time. You ask to ___ the reservation.

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. book a table
  2. under
  3. walk-in
  4. twin room
  5. there are no free tables or rooms
  6. you won't get your money back if you cancel
  7. We're running about 10 minutes late.
  8. bring forward

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

Should I say "reservation" or "booking"?+

Both are correct. Americans usually say "reservation" and "make a reservation". British speakers often say "booking" and "book a table" or "book a room".

How do I make a reservation by phone?+

Say what you want, how many people, the day and the time in one sentence: "I'd like to book a table for two at eight on Friday." Then give your name and phone number and ask them to confirm.

What does "no-show" mean?+

A no-show is a guest who doesn't come and doesn't cancel. Some restaurants and hotels charge a no-show fee, which is why they ask for a card when you book.

Is it rude to cancel a reservation?+

No, as long as you tell them early. Call or cancel online as soon as you know. A simple "I'm afraid I need to cancel my reservation" is polite and enough.

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