French Phrase
Réserve-le au nom de Jane Smith, s'il te plaît.
Meaning
This phrase is used to instruct someone to make a booking or reservation using a specific person's name. It combines the imperative verb form with a direct object pronoun and a prepositional phrase indicating the identity for the booking.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings when asking a friend, family member, or colleague to handle a reservation for a hotel, restaurant, or event. It is specifically informal because it uses the 'tu' form of 'please'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Réserve-leau nom deJane Smiths'il te plaît
Imperative with Pronouns
In the affirmative imperative, the object pronoun 'le' follows the verb and is attached with a hyphen.
Au nom de
This is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning 'in the name of'. It uses the contracted article 'au' (à + le).
🗨In Conversation
Je vais appeler le restaurant pour ce soir.
I am going to call the restaurant for tonight.
Réserve-le au nom de Jane Smith, s'il te plaît.
Reserve it in the name of Jane Smith, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Réserve-le à le nom de Jane Smith.
The preposition 'à' and the article 'le' must contract into 'au'.
Réserve-le sur le nom de Jane Smith.
In French, you reserve 'at the name' (au nom) rather than 'on the name' (sur le nom).
↔Alternatives
Fais la réservation au nom de Jane Smith.
Make the reservation in Jane Smith's name.
C'est pour Jane Smith, s'il vous plaît.
It is for Jane Smith, please (formal).
Cultural Tip
While 's'il te plaît' is used here, remember that when speaking directly to staff at a high-end French restaurant or hotel, you should always use 's'il vous plaît' to maintain a respectful distance. Providing a full name is common, though often just the family name is requested in smaller establishments.