Booking Services: 예약하다
예약하다 is the essential verb for securing a spot, time, or service in advance. You will use it heavily when dealing with hospitals, restaurants, hotels, classes, and tickets.
Common Combinations
Korean · English
병원을 예약하다 · to book a hospital appointment
식당을 예약하다 · to reserve a restaurant
호텔을 예약하다 · to book a hotel
표를 예약하다 · to book a ticket
You will often hear this verb paired with the adverb 미리 , which means in advance or ahead of time .
비행기 표는 미리 예약하는 게 좋아요.
Canceling Plans & Orders: 취소하다
When plans change, you need 취소하다 . This verb is widely used for canceling official reservations, personal appointments, delivery orders, and even digital payments.
Common Combinations
Korean · English
예약을 취소하다 · to cancel a reservation
약속을 취소하다 · to cancel an appointment
주문을 취소하다 · to cancel an order
When making a polite request to a business, simply attach -고 싶어요 (want to) to the verb stem:
예약을 취소하고 싶어요 . (I want to cancel my reservation.)
Changing Details: 바꾸다
바꾸다 means to change, swap, or exchange . In a service context, it is heavily used to change the details of a booking or ask for a different product.
Common Combinations
Korean · English
시간을 바꾸다 · to change the time
날짜를 바꾸다 · to change the date
자리를 바꾸다 · to change the seat
To ask if a change is possible, use the pattern -ㄹ 수 있어요? (can I? / is it possible?).
예약 시간을 바꿀 수 있어요? (Can I change the reservation time?)
Note: When specifying what you are changing into , use the particle -(으)로 .
창가 자리 로 바꿔 주세요.