buk1 wai2卜位
Jyutpingbuk1 wai2
Yalebūk wái
Definition
To book a seat; to make a reservation for a table or place.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Originating from the English word book, this term is the standard way to talk about reservations in casual settings. It is almost exclusively used for restaurants, bars, or venues where you secure a spot in advance. While it sounds very informal, it is perfectly acceptable to use even when speaking to restaurant staff.
Examples
The restaurant is very busy tonight, do you want me to help you make a reservation?
I have already made a reservation, no need to worry about not having a seat.
Related words
Common phrases
to make a reservation for someone
to call to make a reservation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal term 預約, which is used in professional or business contexts like medical appointments or official services. Using 卜位 for a doctor's appointment would sound overly casual and slightly out of place.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
