Spanish Phrase
¿A nombre de quién pongo la reserva?
Meaning
This phrase is used to politely ask for the name under which a reservation should be made or is already made. It literally translates to 'To the name of whom do I put the reservation?' and is a standard way to confirm booking details.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when you are making a reservation for someone else, or when you are working in a service role (e.g., hotel receptionist, restaurant host) and need to confirm the name for a booking. It's appropriate in formal and semi-formal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿A nombre dequiénpongola reserva?
A nombre de
This is a fixed phrase meaning 'in the name of' or 'under the name of'. It's crucial for discussing reservations, accounts, or any official registration.
Quién
This is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'whom'. It always carries an accent mark when used in a question.
Pongo
This is the first-person singular ('yo') conjugation of the verb 'poner' (to put, to place). 'Poner' is an irregular verb, so 'yo pongo' is important to remember.
La reserva
This means 'the reservation'. 'Reserva' is a feminine noun, hence it uses the definite article 'la'.
🗨In Conversation
Buenas tardes, tengo una mesa reservada para dos personas.
Good afternoon, I have a table reserved for two people.
¿A nombre de quién pongo la reserva?
In whose name do I put the reservation?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Para quién pongo la reserva?
While 'para quién' means 'for whom', it doesn't convey the specific nuance of 'in whose name' for a reservation. 'A nombre de' is the correct idiomatic expression.
¿De quién es la reserva?
This asks 'Whose is the reservation?' which is more about ownership than the name associated with the booking process. It's less direct for the purpose of making or confirming a reservation.
↔Alternatives
¿A qué nombre va la reserva?
Under what name does the reservation go?
¿Cuál es el nombre para la reserva?
What is the name for the reservation?
¿Bajo qué nombre está la reserva?
Under what name is the reservation?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, politeness and formality are highly valued in service interactions. Using the full, polite phrase like '¿A nombre de quién pongo la reserva?' is generally preferred over more abrupt questions. It shows respect and professionalism, especially in customer service roles. Always use 'usted' forms when addressing strangers in such contexts.