Reserved emoji 🈯
The reserved emoji 🈯 is a Japanese-style button showing the word “reserved” in white on a blue square. It marks seats, tables or appointments that are already held.
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What the reserved emoji means
The reserved emoji 🈯 is a Japanese-style button that displays the white character 指 on a solid blue square. It is officially named the “Japanese ‘reserved’ button” and indicates that a seat, table, room, or time slot has already been booked or set aside for someone.
The character 指 on its own can mean finger, but in this context it stands for the first part of 指定 (shitei), which translates as “designated” or “reserved”. You will often see it on signs in Japan for 指定席 (shiteiseki), meaning reserved seating on trains, in theatres, or at events.
Because the button is part of a set of squared Japanese symbols, it works as a compact visual marker. It tells you that whatever it is attached to is not available for general use, but is held for a specific person or purpose. It shares the same blue-and-white style as related buttons such as 🆓, 🆒 and 🆑.
How people use the reserved emoji
In everyday texting and on social media, the reserved emoji stands in for anything that is already taken or planned. It adds a clear visual cue without spelling out “booked”, and it tends to feel more playful than writing the word. It is commonly used in messages about travel, dining, or appointments.
- Confirming a restaurant table you have booked for a specific time.
- Showing that a train seat is a reserved seat rather than free seating.
- Indicating a hotel room, parking space, or appointment that is already held.
- Joking that a friend is already “reserved” for you on a particular evening.
- Marking a spot in a queue or a digital reservation.
In memes and playful messages, the reserved emoji can show that someone is already claimed, as if they have been booked like a table. For example, a friend might text “You’re 🈯 tonight, no other plans allowed.”
Compare Japanese “reserved” button with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese “reserved” buttonU+1F22F | Marks something as taken or booked | |
| FREE buttonU+1F193 | Shows something costs nothing | |
| COOL buttonU+1F192 | Signals approval or something stylish | |
| CL buttonU+1F191 | Shows the letters CL | |
| informationU+2139 U+FE0F | Provides details or help | |
| A button (blood type)U+1F170 U+FE0F | Represents blood type A or the letter A |
How to type or copy the reserved emoji
You can copy the emoji directly from the reference table at the top of this page — simply select 🈯 and paste it where you need it. The button may appear under a “Japanese” or “Symbols” category.
If you are on a desktop, use the system’s emoji panel: on Windows press Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon), on macOS press Control + Command + Space, and on Linux it varies by distribution. Search for “reserved” in that panel to find it quickly. For more keyboard shortcuts, see the guide to emoji keyboard shortcuts.
Questions people ask
What does the reserved emoji 🈯 mean?
It is the Japanese “reserved” button, used to show that a seat, table, room or time slot is already booked or set aside for someone.
How do I type the reserved emoji?
On desktop, use the emoji panel and search the same terms.
Is the reserved emoji only used in Japan?
The button is Japanese in style, but it is also used in messages about reservations and bookings outside Japan.
What is the difference between 🈯 and 🆓?
The reserved emoji tells you something is taken, while the FREE button emoji tells you something is available at no cost. They are opposites in many situations.
Can I use 🈯 for a dinner reservation?
Yes, it works well in messages where you want to confirm that you have booked a table or a spot, for example “The table is 🈯 for 7:30.”
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
