Usage note
预约是提前安排时间见面或做某事。
Yùyuē shì tíqián ānpái shíjiān jiànmiàn huò zuò mǒushì.
An appointment is arranging a time in advance to meet or do something.
Context note
去医院看医生或去图书馆借书前，通常需要预约。
Qù yīyuàn kàn yīshēng huò qù túshūguǎn jiè shū qián, tōngcháng xūyào yùyuē.
Before going to see a doctor at the hospital or borrowing books from the library, you usually need an appointment.
5 examples
我预约了明天下午的牙医。
wǒ yù yuē le míng tiān xià wǔ de yá yī。
I made an appointment with the dentist for tomorrow afternoon.
请提前预约才能参观博物馆。
qǐng tí qián yù yuē cái néng cān guān bó wù guǎn。
Please make an appointment in advance to visit the museum.
妈妈打电话预约理发店。
mā ma dǎ diàn huà yù yuē lǐ fā diàn。
Mom calls to make an appointment at the hair salon.
我们预约了周末的游泳课。
wǒ men yù yuē le zhōu mò de yóu yǒng kè。
We made an appointment for the weekend swimming class.
预约后记得准时到达。
yù yuē hòu jì de zhǔn shí dào dá。
Remember to arrive on time after making an appointment.
5 mini stories
小华预约了图书馆的阅读时间。他开心地借到了书。
xiǎo huá yù yuē le tú shū guǎn de yuè dú shí jiān。 tā kāi xīn dì jiè dào le shū。
Xiao Hua made an appointment for reading time at the library. He happily borrowed books.
妈妈带我去医院预约体检。护士阿姨很温柔。
mā ma dài wǒ qù yī yuàn yù yuē tǐ jiǎn。 hù shì ā yí hěn wēn róu。
Mom took me to the hospital to make an appointment for a check-up. The nurse auntie was very gentle.
小刚预约了钢琴课。他每天认真练习。
xiǎo gāng yù yuē le gāng qín kè。 tā měi tiān rèn zhēn liàn xí。
Xiao Gang made an appointment for piano lessons. He practices seriously every day.
我们预约了公园的野餐位置。大家一起准备食物。
wǒ men yù yuē le gōng yuán de yě cān wèi zhì。 dà jiā yì qǐ zhǔn bèi shí wù。
We made an appointment for a picnic spot in the park. Everyone prepares food together.
小丽预约了美术课。她画了一幅美丽的画。
xiǎo lì yù yuē le měi shù kè。 tā huà le yì fú měi lì de huà。
Xiao Li made an appointment for an art class. She painted a beautiful picture.
Mini dialogue
预约医生
A
你预约了看牙医吗？
Nǐ yù yuē le kàn yá yī ma?
Did you make an appointment to see the dentist?
B
预约了，明天下午三点。
Yù yuē le, míng tiān xià wǔ sān diǎn.
Yes, I made an appointment for tomorrow at 3 PM.
预约图书馆
A
我们需要预约图书馆的座位吗？
Wǒ men xū yào yù yuē tú shū guǎn de zuò wèi ma?
Do we need to reserve a seat at the library?
B
是的，现在可以在网上预约。
Shì de, xiàn zài kě yǐ zài wǎng shàng yù yuē.
Yes, you can make a reservation online now.
Related words and contrasts
similar
预定
yù dìng
reserve
Used for booking tickets, rooms, etc.
opposite
取消
qǔ xiāo
cancel
To cancel an appointment or reservation.
related
约会
yuē huì
date, appointment (social)
Often refers to a social meeting, not formal.