reservation
Definitions
An arrangement to have something (a table, room, seat) kept for you; a booking
预订，预约
A doubt or qualification that holds you back from full agreement
保留意见；疑虑
An area of land set aside, esp. for an indigenous people
保留地（尤指原住民保留地）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedreserve + -ation = something kept back. The three senses are the same act on different things: a kept-back seat (a dinner reservation), a kept-back doubt (I have reservations about this plan), and kept-back land (a tribal reservation).
Root serv still carries 62 more wordsWhy It Means This
Notice how 'have reservations' works: a doubt is something you 'hold back' instead of giving full agreement. You reserve part of your judgment, just as you reserve a seat. The emotional and the practical senses share one act — keeping something back rather than releasing it.
Common Collocations
- 1.make a reservation预订
- 2.have reservations有所保留
- 3.without reservation毫无保留地
- 4.express reservations表达保留意见
Example Sentences
- 1.
I've made a reservation for two at the new restaurant.
- 2.
She accepted the offer without reservation.
- 3.
Many tribes were forced onto reservations in the 19th century.
Easily Confused
reservation vs reserve — 'a reservation' is usually the booking (a table reservation) or a doubt (have reservations); 'a reserve' is usually the stockpile (oil reserves) or the protected land (nature reserve). Tip: you make a reservation but you keep a reserve.