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How to Say ‘I'd like to make a reservation.’ in Japanese

予約をお願いしたいんですが。

yoyaku o o negai shi tai n desu ga

[yoh-yah-koo wo oh neh-guy shee tie n dess gah]

💬 Usage Tip: Ending with んですが "but..." leaves the sentence trailing, which softens the request and invites the other person to respond. Swap in another noun: 席をお願いしたいんですが "I'd like a table...".

Phrase Breakdown

予約を

yoyaku o

a reservation (as object)

予約 (yoyaku) means 'reservation'. を marks it as the object. Say it as yo-ya-ku-o.

Example

ホテルの予約をしました。

I made a hotel reservation.

Words in this phrase

予約

yoyaku

[yoh-yah-koo]

reservation; booking

Used when booking or reserving something in advance.

Example

コンサートの予約をしたいです。

I want to make a reservation for the concert.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

お願いしたいんですが。

o negai shi tai n desu ga

I would like to request…

〜したい means 'want to do'. んですが softens the request politely. Say it as o-ne-gai-shi-tai-n-de-su-ga, trailing off gently at the end.

Example

両替をお願いしたいんですが。

I'd like to exchange some money.

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific/polite prefix

A polite prefix that makes a word sound more refined or respectful.

Example

おすすめのおは、ことばを丁寧にします。

The o in osusume makes the word more polite.

願い

negai

[neh-guy]

request; favor

願い refers to a wish or request, and in お願い it forms a polite request expression.

Example

お願いがあります。

I have a request.

し

shi

[shee]

do; make

The verb stem of する, attached to 交換 to form the action 'to exchange.'

Example

名刺を交換したいです。

I want to exchange business cards.

たい

tai

[tie]

want to (do)

Expresses the speaker’s desire. Can sound strong/clear, good for honest relationship talk.

Example

あなたとこれからも一緒にいたいし、真剣に付き合いたい。

I want to be with you from now on, and I want to date seriously.

ん

[n]

(explanatory n)

Casual form of の; adds a tone of seeking or giving an explanation, often before です.

Example

どうしたんですか。

What happened?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

が

[gah]

(softening ending)

Ending a sentence with ga softens a request politely.

Example

お願いしたいんですが。

I'd like to ask a favor...

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