yùdìng: 预订 - To Reserve, To Book, To Make a Reservation

• Keywords: 预订, yuding, yùdìng, how to book in Chinese, reserve in Chinese, make a reservation in Chinese, Chinese for booking a hotel, book a flight in Chinese, reserve a table in Chinese, 预定 vs 预订, 预约, book tickets China, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn how to use 预订 (yùdìng), the essential Chinese verb for “to book” or “to reserve”. This guide covers everything from how to make a reservation for a hotel, flight, or restaurant table in China to the subtle but important differences between similar words like 预定 (yùdìng) and 预约 (yùyuē). Master yùdìng to confidently plan your travels and daily life in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yùdìng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To arrange in advance to have something (like a room, seat, ticket, or product) kept for you.
• In a Nutshell: `预订 (yùdìng)` is your go-to word for almost any situation where you need to book something tangible. It implies securing a specific item or service for a future date, often involving a confirmation, a deposit, or a formal agreement. Think of it as putting your name on something concrete before you show up.

• 预 (yù): This character means “in advance,” “beforehand,” or “to prepare.” It acts as a prefix to show that an action is being done ahead of time. You'll see it in other words like `预习 (yùxí)` (to preview a lesson) and `天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào)` (weather forecast).
• 订 (dìng): This character means “to book,” “to order,” or “to agree upon.” Notice the speech radical (讠) on the left, which suggests a verbal or written agreement, like a contract. It's about finalizing a deal.
• When combined, 预 (yù) + 订 (dìng) literally means “to book in advance,” which perfectly captures its modern meaning.

In a country with a vast population like China, planning is often a cultural necessity, not just a matter of convenience. The concept of `预订` is deeply embedded in daily life. Compared to a more spontaneous “winging it” culture sometimes seen in the West, Chinese society often values preparedness and certainty. Spontaneously showing up at a popular restaurant or trying to buy a train ticket during a national holiday without a `预订` can be a recipe for disappointment. This is especially true during peak travel times like the Spring Festival (春节) or National Day Golden Week (国庆黄金周), when tickets and rooms are booked months in advance. Therefore, mastering `预订` isn't just about learning a word; it's about understanding a fundamental aspect of navigating modern Chinese life. It reflects a cultural inclination towards planning to ensure things go smoothly and to avoid uncertainty.

`预订` is used constantly in everyday transactions, both online and offline.

This is the most common use. You `预订` hotel rooms, train tickets, and flights.

• On an app: 你可以在“携程”上预订酒店和机票。(Nǐ kěyǐ zài “xiéchéng” shàng yùdìng jiǔdiàn hé jīpiào.) - You can book hotels and flights on Ctrip.
• At a ticket office: 我想预订两张去上海的火车票。(Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng liǎng zhāng qù Shànghǎi de huǒchē piào.) - I'd like to book two train tickets to Shanghai.

For popular, high-end, or busy restaurants, a reservation is a must.

• On the phone: 你好，我想预订一个两人桌，周六晚上七点。(Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yí ge liǎng rén zhuō, zhōuliù wǎnshang qī diǎn.) - Hello, I'd like to reserve a table for two for Saturday at 7 PM.

It's also used for pre-ordering goods, like a new smartphone or a limited-edition item.

• Online shopping: 这款新手机现在可以预订了。(Zhè kuǎn xīn shǒujī xiànzài kěyǐ yùdìng le.) - This new phone is available for pre-order now.

• Example 1:
• 我需要在网上预订一家酒店。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào zài wǎngshàng yùdìng yī jiā jiǔdiàn.
• English: I need to book a hotel online.
• Analysis: A very common and practical sentence. `在网上 (zài wǎngshàng)` means “online.”
• Example 2:
• 你好，我想预订一张明天去北京的机票。
• Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yī zhāng míngtiān qù Běijīng de jīpiào.
• English: Hello, I would like to book a flight ticket to Beijing for tomorrow.
• Analysis: A standard phrase you would use on the phone or at a travel agent. `一张 (yī zhāng)` is the measure word for flat objects like tickets.
• Example 3:
• 我们预订了晚上八点的座位。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen yùdìng le wǎnshang bā diǎn de zuòwèi.
• English: We reserved seats for 8 PM.
• Analysis: The use of `了 (le)` indicates the action of reserving has been completed.
• Example 4:
• 请问，这家餐厅需要提前预订吗？
• Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhè jiā cāntīng xūyào tíqián yùdìng ma?
• English: Excuse me, does this restaurant require a reservation in advance?
• Analysis: `提前 (tíqián)` means “in advance” and is often used with `预订` for emphasis, although `预订` already implies it.
• Example 5:
• 如果你不想要了，记得取消预订。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù xiǎng yào le, jìde qǔxiāo yùdìng.
• English: If you don't want it anymore, remember to cancel the reservation.
• Analysis: `取消 (qǔxiāo)` is the direct antonym: to cancel.
• Example 6:
• 他已经成功预订了限量版运动鞋。
• Pinyin: Tā yǐjīng chénggōng yùdìng le xiànliàng bǎn yùndòngxié.
• English: He has already successfully pre-ordered the limited-edition sneakers.
• Analysis: Shows the use of `预订` for pre-ordering products. `限量版 (xiànliàng bǎn)` means “limited edition.”
• Example 7:
• 您可以通过我们的官方网站预订会议室。
• Pinyin: Nín kěyǐ tōngguò wǒmen de guānfāng wǎngzhàn yùdìng huìyìshì.
• English: You can book a meeting room through our official website.
• Analysis: A formal example, using the polite `您 (nín)`. `会议室 (huìyìshì)` is “meeting room.”
• Example 8:
• 对不起，这个时间段的房间已经被预订完了。
• Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, zhège shíjiān duàn de fángjiān yǐjīng bèi yùdìng wán le.
• English: Sorry, the rooms for this time period have all been booked.
• Analysis: `被…完了 (bèi…wán le)` shows a passive structure, indicating all rooms were booked *by others*.
• Example 9:
• 你的预订信息已经通过邮件发给你了。
• Pinyin: Nǐ de yùdìng xìnxī yǐjīng tōngguò yóujiàn fā gěi nǐ le.
• English: Your reservation information has already been sent to you via email.
• Analysis: Here, `预订` is used as a noun, “reservation.” `预订信息` means “reservation information/details.”
• Example 10:
• 预订需要付押金吗？
• Pinyin: Yùdìng xūyào fù yājīn ma?
• English: Does the reservation require a deposit?
• Analysis: A very practical question to ask. `押金 (yājīn)` means “security deposit.”

For English speakers, the biggest challenge is distinguishing `预订` from two very similar-sounding words: `预定` and `预约`.

• 预订 (yùdìng) - To Book (an item/service)
  • Radical: 订 has the “speech” radical (讠). Think of a verbal/written agreement.
  • Usage: For tangible things or specific service slots. You book a concrete object or space.
  • Use for: Hotel rooms, tickets, physical products, restaurant tables.
• 预定 (yùdìng) - To Schedule (a plan/time)
  • Radical: 定 has the “roof” radical (宀). Think of something being set or fixed.
  • Usage: For setting a date, time, or plan. More abstract than `预订`.
  • Use for: Scheduling a meeting (`我们预定下周开会`), setting a goal (`预定的目标`), or a pre-determined outcome.
  • The Mistake: In modern, informal Chinese, many people use `预定` and `预订` interchangeably for booking hotels and tickets. While technically `预订` is more correct for these, you will see `预定` used. As a learner, it's best to stick with 预订 for booking things to be precise.
• 预约 (yùyuē) - To Make an Appointment (with a person)
  • Key Difference: This is for a person's time, not an object.
  • Usage: For services provided by a specific professional.
  • Use for: Doctor's appointments, a haircut, a meeting with a lawyer, a time slot at a government office.
  • The Mistake: Never use `预约` to book a hotel room.
    • Correct: 我想预订一个房间。(Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yí ge fángjiān.) - I want to book a room.
    • Incorrect: ~~我想预约一个房间。~~ (Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē yí ge fángjiān.)
    • Correct: 我想预约王医生。(Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē Wáng yīshēng.) - I want to make an appointment with Dr. Wang.

• 预定 (yùdìng) - A near-synonym, but more accurately means “to schedule” or “to set.” Often used interchangeably in casual speech, but has a different nuance.
• 预约 (yùyuē) - To make an appointment with a person or for a service (e.g., a doctor, a barber).
• 订票 (dìng piào) - A more specific verb meaning “to book tickets.”
• 订房 (dìng fáng) - A more specific verb meaning “to book a room.”
• 订位 (dìng wèi) - A more specific verb meaning “to reserve a seat” (common for restaurants).
• 取消 (qǔxiāo) - The antonym: to cancel a reservation or order.
• 确认 (quèrèn) - To confirm. Often used to follow up on a `预订`.
• 押金 (yājīn) - A security deposit, which is often required when you `预订` something.
• 订单 (dìngdān) - An order form, a bill, a receipt for a booking.
• 预售 (yùshòu) - Pre-sale. Very similar to pre-ordering with `预订`.