Restaurant reservations Part 2: Understanding cancellation policies and deadlines.
Get Full LessonPractice pronunciation and master this lesson with smart-repetition via the PrettyFluent App
Key Phrases
Queria confirmar a minha reserva.
I wanted to confirm my reservation.
Em nome de quem está a reserva?
In whose name is the reservation?
Pode cancelar sem custo até às seis da tarde de sábado.
You can cancel free of charge until six in the evening on Saturday.
Skills You'll Learn
Confirming a restaurant reservation and giving the booking details.
Confirmar uma reserva e dar os detalhes da marcação.
Asking about and understanding a cancellation policy.
Perguntar sobre e compreender a política de cancelamento.
Requesting changes to a reservation, such as the number of people.
Pedir alterações a uma reserva, como o número de pessoas.
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are calling a restaurant in Portugal to confirm your reservation for Saturday, check the name and time, and ask about the cancellation policy and changing the number of guests.
Boa tarde. Queria confirmar a minha reserva para sábado.
Good afternoon. I would like to confirm my reservation for Saturday.
Boa tarde! Claro, em nome de quem está a reserva?
Good afternoon! Of course, under whose name is the reservation?
Está em nome de Emily Smith , para quatro pessoas.
It is under the name of Emily Smith, for four people.
Sim, está aqui. A reserva é para as oito da noite.
Yes, it's here. The reservation is for eight o'clock in the evening.
Obrigado. Queria também perceber a política de cancelamento.
Thank you. I’d also like to understand the cancellation policy.
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Boa tarde.
BOH-ah TAR-d(uh)
Good afternoon.
Queria confirmar
kuh-REE-ah kon-feer-MAR
I wanted to confirm
🇵🇹 [Queria...] is a very normal polite way to make a request in Portugal. It sounds softer than a direct present like [Quero confirmar].
See breakdown →A minha reserva.
ah MEE-nyah reh-ZER-vah
My reservation.
Queria confirmar a minha reserva.
kuh-REE-ah kon-feer-MAR ah MEE-nyah reh-ZER-vah
I wanted to confirm my reservation.
🇵🇹 In Portugal, [Queria...] is standard polite service language for requests, not unusually hesitant or indirect. It fits well for phone calls and in-person reservation checks.
See breakdown →Para sábado.
PAH-rah SAH-buh-doo
For Saturday.
Claro.
KLAH-roo
Of course.
Em nome de quem
ayng NOH-m(uh) d(uh) kang
Under whose name
💬 [quem] means [who/whom], so [em nome de quem] is literally [in the name of whom]. You can reuse the whole chunk for bookings: [Em nome de quem está a mesa?]
See breakdown →Está a reserva?
esh-TAH ah reh-ZER-vah
Is the reservation?
💬 In European Portuguese, [está a reserva?] here means [is the reservation], not [is reserving]. [estar a + verb] can mean an action, but with [a reserva] after it, [reserva] is the noun.
See breakdown →Em nome de quem está a reserva?
ayng NOH-m(uh) d(uh) kang esh-TAH ah reh-ZER-vah
In whose name is the reservation?
💬 [Em] + [o] becomes [no], so [em nome do João] is [in João's name]. Here it stays separate in [em nome de quem] because [de quem] doesn't contract that way.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
Get PrettyFluent for smart practice & lasting retention
More from "Restaurant reservations Part 2"
Similar Portuguese Lessons
Exploring options for private or semi-private dining for groups.
Restaurant reservations Part 4
Asking about accessibility features for disabled guests.
Restaurant reservations Part 4
Number of guests
Restaurant reservations
Checking table availability for specific dates and times.
Restaurant reservations
Setting preferences for seating, such as indoor, outdoor, or specific views.
Restaurant reservations
Confirming the reservation details, including date, time, and number of guests.
Restaurant reservations Part 3
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Rio de Janeiro tested my Portuguese every single day. The real-world scenarios in this app meant I could actually keep up with locals at the beach bars.”
Chris B., 33, Digital Nomad
“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”
Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer
“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”
James O., 28, Remote Worker