deng6 zo6訂座订座
Jyutpingdeng6 zo6
Yaledehng joh
Definition
To reserve a seat; to make a reservation.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Commonly used when planning meals at restaurants, this term functions as a verb phrase that can be split by aspect markers like 訂咗座. It is the standard way to ask for a table in Hong Kong, replacing more formal or Mandarin-influenced terms like 預約. When speaking to staff, it is often paired with the number of people to clarify the booking size.
Examples
We want to make a reservation for tonight, is there any space?
Remember to make a reservation for me, don't forget.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use 預約 for restaurants, but that sounds overly formal or clinical, as if booking a doctor's appointment or a professional service. Stick to 訂座 for dining out.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
