A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I made a reservation" in French
Say 'J'ai fait une réservation' to confirm your restaurant booking in France.
J'ai fait une réservation.
zhay fay oon ray-zehr-vah-SYOHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you arrive at a restaurant and need to tell them you have a table booked under your name. It's the standard way to confirm your reservation upon arrival.
Alternatives
- J'ai une réservation.Slightly more direct, implying the reservation already exists.
- Nous avons une réservation.Use this if you are speaking on behalf of a group or couple.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'réservation'
The 'é' is like the 'ay' in 'say', and the final 'on' is a nasal sound, not like 'on' in English.
Silent 't' in 'fait'
The 't' in 'fait' (made) is silent; pronounce it like 'fay'.
A small cultural note
While 'J'ai fait une réservation' is perfectly standard, some might simply say 'J'ai une table' (I have a table) if the context is very clear.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I say I have a reservation for two people?
You can say 'J'ai une réservation pour deux personnes.' This clearly states the number of people in your party.
What if I want to change my reservation?
You would typically start with 'Bonjour, j'ai une réservation...' and then explain your request, for example, '...pourriez-vous la modifier?' (could you modify it?).
Do I need to say 'J'ai fait une réservation' or can I just give my name?
Often, just giving your name is enough, but saying 'J'ai fait une réservation' adds politeness and clarity to your arrival.
