预订是一段简短又非常有规律可循的对话。把这套模式学会一次,不管是在餐厅、酒店前台,还是理发店,都能派上用场。
预订的基本模式
第一步:说明需求 → 第二步:给出细节 → 第三步:报上姓名 → 第四步:确认
I'd like to book a table, please.
For four people, on Friday at eight.
The name's Cooper.
So that's Friday the ninth at eight, for four. Lovely, thank you.
第四步最常被省略——但恰恰是它能帮你避免麻烦。把细节复述一遍。
Book、reserve 还是 make?
- book —— 日常用词:book a table · book a room · book a flight
- reserve —— 稍微正式一些,意思相同
- make an appointment —— 用于预约某位专业人士:医生、牙医、理发师
- arrange a meeting —— 用于工作场合
餐桌用 book,预约用 make。这两种搭配都是固定的。
餐厅
- Do you have a table for two at seven?
- I'm afraid we're fully booked at seven. Would half past do?
- Could we have a table by the window / outside?
- It's for a birthday.
酒店
- Do you have any rooms available for the 3rd?
- A double, for two nights.
- Is breakfast included?
- What time is check-in / check-out?
- Is there parking?
预约专业人士
- I'd like to make an appointment with Dr Shah.
- How soon could I be seen?
- Do you have anything first thing / after five?
- How long does it take? · How much is it?
- Is it the same price with a different stylist?
两个很实用的时间说法:first thing(一大早)和 last thing(一天快结束的时候)。
安排工作会面
安排工作会面,首先要弄清楚彼此什么时候有空:
- Are you free on Thursday morning?
- Does Tuesday at two work for you?
- I'm free any time after eleven.
- Shall we say ten, then?
- I'll send an invite.
如果时间不合适:Thursday's no good, I'm afraid — would Friday work?
没有空位的时候
- We're fully booked, I'm afraid. → Is there a waiting list?
- Nothing until the 14th. → Could you let me know if anything comes up?
- Would you consider an earlier time?
改期与取消
这里礼貌最重要,因为你正在给对方添麻烦。
- I'd like to change my booking, if that's possible.
- Could we move it to Thursday instead?
- I'm afraid I need to cancel.
- I'm sorry for the short notice.
- Is there a cancellation fee?
为临时通知道歉。 在英语语境里,取消预订却不做这样的表示,即使你完全占理,也会显得漫不经心。
对方可能会对你说的话
- Bear with me a moment.(请稍等)
- Can I take your name?
- We're fully booked.
- That's all confirmed.
- You should get a confirmation email.
- Under what name?
- We'll need a card to hold the booking.
挂电话之前,把细节大声复述一遍。 So that's Friday the ninth, eight o'clock, four people, under Cooper? 预订涉及的全是数字和姓名——恰恰是用非母语时最难听懂的部分——电话另一头的人也预期你会这样确认一遍,不会觉得奇怪。
先预订,再改期
A: Good afternoon, Bella's.
B: Hello — could I book a table for four on Friday at eight?
A: Bear with me… I'm afraid we're fully booked at eight. Would half past do?
B: Half past is fine. The name's Cooper.
A: Lovely. That's Friday the ninth, half eight, table for four.
B: Perfect, thank you.
[第二天]
B: Hello, I've got a table booked for Friday under Cooper — I'm afraid I need to move it to Saturday. Sorry for the short notice.
预订、复述细节、为改期道歉——这就是完整的一套流程。
自测一下
下面的测验考察固定搭配动词,以及取消预订时的礼仪。