Learn French: Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux. - I would like to reserve a table for two.

Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.

I would like to reserve a table for two.

Breakdown of Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.

Questions & Answers about Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.

Why do we use Je voudrais here instead of Je veux?

Je veux means "I want," which can sound a bit demanding or rude when you are asking for a service. Je voudrais means "I would like." It is the best and most common way to make a polite request in French.

Why does réserver end in -er? Shouldn't it change to match Je?

When you use two verbs together in French, only the first one changes to match the person doing the action (here, Je voudrais). The second verb stays in its original, unchanged form (called the infinitive). So réserver simply translates to "to reserve."

Can I just say pour deux instead of pour deux personnes?

Yes! Just like in English, saying "for two" (pour deux) is a very natural and common shortcut. The restaurant staff will completely understand that you mean two people.

Since table is spelled exactly the same as in English, do I say it the same way?

No, the pronunciation is quite different! In French, the "a" makes an "ah" sound, and the end of the word is a soft "bl" sound rather than the heavy "bull" sound we use in English. Also, always remember it is a feminine word (une table).