How to say "invite" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 誘うさそうgodan verb, transitive verbCovers the everyday sense of inviting someone to do something — asking a friend out, calling someone along. The default choice when you ask a person to join you in an activity.
- 招くまねくgodan verb, transitive verbUsed for inviting people to a place or occasion, often with a more formal or planned feel — hosting guests, arranging a visit. Choose this when the invitation is to come somewhere or to an event.私たちはジェーンとエレンを招くつもりだ。↗We are going to invite Jane and Ellen.
- 呼び込むよびこむgodan verb, transitive verbMeans to call in or bring people in, as when drawing customers or crowds into a place. It suits inviting in the sense of attracting or pulling people in, not personal social invitations.
- 召すめすgodan verb, transitive verbAn honorific word meaning to call or summon someone, and by extension to invite. Use it only as respectful language for someone above you; it is not an ordinary way to say invite.
- 乞うこうgodan verb (irregular), transitive verbIts core senses are to beg, ask, or request, with invite only a marginal extension. For inviting in the usual social sense this is seldom the word you want; reach for it when begging or requesting.
Use 「誘う」 for asking someone to join you, 「招く」 for formally inviting guests, 「呼び込む」 for drawing people in, 「召す」 only as honorific language, and 「乞う」 chiefly for begging or requesting rather than inviting.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 誘うさそうto invite
- 招くまねくto invite
- 呼び込むよびこむto call in
- 召すめすto call
- 乞うこうto beg
- 請ずるしょうずるto invite
- 誘いをかけるさそいをかけるto invite
- 請じるしょうじるto invite
- 呼び入れるよびいれるto call in
- 誘いかけるさそいかけるto ask (someone to do)
- 差し招くさしまねくto beckon (to)
- 口を掛けるくちをかけるto talk
- 呼ぶよぶto invite
- 買うかうto incur (someone's anger, displeasure, etc.)
- 迎えるむかえるto call for
- 声をかけるこえをかけるto invite
See also
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