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)