Word
招待
Meaning in Englishinvitation, being invited
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
招待 means an invitation to attend or join an event; as a noun it denotes the invitation itself, while with する it forms the verb 招待する meaning to invite someone.
Main meanings
- invitation: the message or document inviting someone to participate in an event
- the act of inviting: the action of inviting someone, formed when used with する
- contexts of hospitality and formal events where a host extends welcome
How to use it
Used in formal or semi-formal settings to denote inviting someone to attend events, ceremonies, or meetings. It appears with 招待する to form the verb; common in invitations, guest lists, and official communications. Not typical in casual texting alone; preferred in polite language and written invitations.
Variants and close terms
- 招待状 — しょうたいじょう (invitation letter)
- お招き — おまねき (invitation, being invited)
- 招待客 — しょうたいきゃく (invited guest)
- 招待する — しょうたいする (to invite)
Composition
- 招: inviting, beckoning; the act of calling someone to come
- 待: waiting; the idea of awaiting a guest
- Together they express inviting someone to come and participate, i.e., an invitation
Etymology
招 (to beckon) + 待 (to wait) combine as a Sino-Japanese compound with on'yomi readings しょう and たい, giving the pronunciation shōtai.
Word class
Noun; suru-verb (招待する)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
待遇
taiguu
treatment, reception
N1
待望
taibou
long-expected, waiting
N1
待ち合わせ
machiawase
appointment
N1
待ち遠しい
machidooshii
looking forward to
N1
待ち望む
machinozomu
to look anxiously for, to wait eagerly for
N1
招き
maneki
invitation
N2
お待たせしました
omataseshimashita
Sorry to have kept you waiting
N2
お待ちください
omachikudasai
Please wait a moment
N2
待合室
machiaishitsu
waiting room