réserver

Senses

1. 1.

   to book, to reserve

   to arrange in advance for the use of something (hotel room, table, ticket)

2. 2.

   to set aside, to keep

   to put something aside for a particular person or purpose

3. 3.

   to reserve (a judgment, decision, etc.)

   to withhold or postpone expression of an opinion

Examples

• "J'ai réservé une table pour quatre personnes au restaurant."

  I booked a table for four people at the restaurant.

• "Elle réserve toujours une part de dessert pour son fils."

  She always sets aside a portion of dessert for her son.

• "Je réserve mon jugement jusqu'à avoir plus d'informations."

  I'm reserving my judgment until I have more information.

Usage

Common in everyday French for booking hotels, restaurants, and transport. The reflexive form 'se réserver' means 'to save oneself (for something)', as in 'se réserver le droit de' (to reserve the right to). Formal registers prefer 'retenir' for bookings in some contexts.