Introduction
Japanese has several words that can all be translated into English as “plan” or “schedule.” Among them, 予定 (よてい / yotei), 予約 (よやく / yoyaku), 約束 (やくそく / yakusoku), and 都合 (つごう / tsugō) appear frequently in everyday life. At first, they may seem similar, but each carries a specific nuance. When translated into English, they often collapse into just plan, schedule, or appointment. This article explains their meanings, common usage, and subtle cultural differences.
予定 (よてい / yotei) = Plan / Schedule
予定 refers to a personal or organizational plan or schedule that has been decided in advance. It emphasizes the “planned activity” itself.
- 週末 (しゅうまつ) の予定 (よてい) は友達 (ともだち) と映画 (えいが) です。
(My plan for the weekend is to watch a movie with a friend.) - 来月 (らいげつ)、京都 (きょうと) へ旅行 (りょこう) に行 (い) く予定 (よてい) です。
(Next month, I plan to travel to Kyoto.)
予約 (よやく / yoyaku) = Reservation / Booking
予約 means making a formal arrangement with another party to secure a service, time, or place. It always involves external confirmation.
- レストランを予約 (よやく) しました。
(I made a reservation at a restaurant.) - 美容院 (びよういん) の予約 (よやく) を取 (と) りました。
(I booked an appointment at the hair salon.)
In English, reservation, booking, or appointment are used. Unlike 予定, which is purely your own plan, 予約 requires an external party’s involvement.
約束 (やくそく / yakusoku) = Promise / Agreement / Appointment
約束 refers to an agreement or commitment made with another person. It emphasizes the “mutual decision” aspect rather than just a personal schedule.
- 明日 (あした) は友達 (ともだち) と会 (あ) う約束 (やくそく) があります。
(I have an arrangement to meet a friend tomorrow.) - 恋人 (こいびと) とデートの約束 (やくそく) をしました。
(I made a promise/plan to go on a date with my partner.)
Nuance compared to 予定:
- 明日 (あした) は友達 (ともだち) と会 (あ) う約束 (やくそく) があります。
→ Focuses on the agreement with the friend. There is a sense of obligation to keep it. - 明日 (あした) は友達 (ともだち) と会 (あ) う予定 (よてい) があります。
→ Focuses on the plan in your schedule. It is more like a neutral entry in your calendar.
In short, 約束 highlights a commitment to someone, while 予定 highlights the activity as part of your schedule.
都合 (つごう / tsugō) = Convenience / Availability
都合 is uniquely Japanese in nuance. It refers not to a plan itself but to whether something is possible given a person’s circumstances, their availability or convenience.
- その日は都合 (つごう) が悪 (わる) いです。
(That day doesn’t work for me / I’m not available that day.) - ご都合 (つごう) のよい時間 (じかん) を教 (おし) えてください。
(Please tell me a convenient time for you.) - 明日 (あした) までに都合 (つごう) をつけます。
(I’ll make arrangements to be available by tomorrow.)
In English, phrases like availability and convenience are used, but there is no perfect single equivalent. Expressions such as “I’ll make it work” or “I’ll adjust my schedule” are often needed.
Conclusion
- 予定 = A personal or organizational schedule.
- 予約 = A reservation or booking made with another party.
- 約束 = An agreement or promise with someone else, often carrying obligation.
- 都合 = One’s circumstances or availability, reflecting convenience or flexibility.
While in English many of these collapse into plan or appointment, Japanese draws clear distinctions between them. This reflects a cultural emphasis on coordination, responsibility to others, and sensitivity to context.