How to say "invitation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 招待しょうたいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe core word for inviting someone to an event or occasion — a party, wedding, or ceremony — as a guest; this is usually the word you want for 'invitation' in its everyday sense.ご招待をありがとうございます。↗Thank you for your invitation.
- 募集ぼしゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbChiefly recruitment: seeking applicants, members, or entries. Its 'invitation' sense is inviting applications or participation, not inviting a person to an event; seldom the word for a party invitation.
- 誘いさそいnounAn invitation to do something together — asking someone along to a meal or an outing; the nuance is personal rather than formal. It can also mean introduction.
- 勧誘かんゆうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbInvitation in the sense of solicitation: urging or persuading someone to join, buy, or take part — membership drives, sales pitches. Less about welcoming a guest than about winning someone over.
- 招致しょうちnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal word for bringing or attracting someone or something — inviting people, or bidding to host an event such as the Olympics. Not the everyday word for inviting a friend or guest.
Use 招待 for inviting guests to an event, 「誘い」 for casually asking someone along, 勧誘 for persuading someone to join or buy, 募集 for inviting applications or recruits, and 招致 for formally bringing people or events.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 招待しょうたいinvitation
- 募集ぼしゅうrecruitment
- 誘いさそいinvitation
- 勧誘かんゆうinvitation
- 招致しょうちinvitation
- 誘致ゆうちattraction
- 招きまねきinvitation
- 招請しょうせいinvitation
- インビテーションinvitation
- 招来しょうらいinvitation
- インビinvitation
- お呼びおよびcall
- 呼びよびcall
- 招聘しょうへい(courteous) invitation
- 招待状しょうたいじょう(written) invitation
- 口くちinvitation
- 案内あんないinvitation
- ご案内ごあんないinvitation
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
