Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Reservation in Spanish: Reservación & Reserva
Reservación · noun (feminine) · reh-sehr-vah-SYOHN
The Spanish word for reservation is 'reservación' in Mexico and Central America or 'reserva' in Spain and most of South America. Both terms apply to restaurant bookings, hotel rooms, and travel arrangements. The verb form 'reservar' means to reserve or book.
Pronounce 'reservación' as reh-sehr-vah-SYOHN. In Spain, 'reserva' is pronounced reh-SEHR-vah.
Hice una reservación para dos personas a las ocho.
I made a reservation for two people at eight.
Reservation in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for reservation, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| reservación | reservation | reh-sehr-vah-SYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| reserva | reservation | Spain and most of South America | |
| reservación | reservation | Mexico and Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Reservación
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Restaurant booking
Buenas noches, tengo una reserva a nombre de López.
Good evening, I have a reservation under the name López.
Arriving at a restaurant with a booking.
Hotel stay
Necesito cancelar mi reservación de hotel para el viernes.
I need to cancel my hotel reservation for Friday.
Managing travel plans.
Flight booking
Hice la reserva del vuelo por internet.
I made the flight reservation online.
Booking air travel.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Reservación
Using 'reservación' in Spain
Incorrect: Tengo una reservación en el restaurante. (in Spain)
Correct: Tengo una reserva en el restaurante.
In Spain, 'reservación' sounds overly formal or foreign. The standard term is 'reserva,' which is shorter and more natural in Peninsular Spanish.
Confusing 'reserva' with reservation doubts
Incorrect: Tengo mis reservas sobre ese restaurante. (meaning booking)
Correct: Tengo una reserva en ese restaurante.
The phrase 'tener reservas' (to have reservations, plural) means to have doubts, while 'tener una reserva' (singular with article) means to have a booking.
Lock in Reservation Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Reservación used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using reservación in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hice una reservación para dos personas a las ocho. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Reservation in Spanish
- Should I use 'reservación' or 'reserva'?
- In Mexico and Central America, 'reservación' is the standard choice, while in Spain and South America, 'reserva' is preferred, and both are universally understood across all regions.
- How do I make a reservation by phone in Spanish?
- A typical phrase would be 'Quisiera hacer una reservación para cuatro personas el sábado a las nueve de la noche' (I would like to make a reservation for four people on Saturday at nine at night).
- Can 'reserva' mean a nature reserve?
- The word 'reserva' also refers to a protected area, such as 'reserva natural' (nature reserve), so context distinguishes between a booking and a conservation area.