¿te puedo invitar a salir?
The English phrase "can I take you out?" is expressed in Spanish as ¿te puedo invitar a salir?
This phrase is a request used to ask someone to go on a date. In Spanish, using the verb invitar in this context implies that you will be the one paying for the date.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿te puedo invitar a salir? literally translates to "Can I invite you to go out?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿te puedo invitar a salir? is a standard way to ask, other variations exist depending on the level of politeness. For example, ¿Quieres salir conmigo? asks "Do you want to go out with me?" and ¿Te gustaría que salgamos juntos? asks "Would you like us to go out together?"
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone you wish to address with formal respect, use the pronoun le instead of te, as seen in the formal form ¿le puedo invitar a salir?
Did you know?
- The Spanish word salir is a distant relative of the English word 'sally', as in 'to sally forth'. Both come from the Latin word salīre, which means 'to leap'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase salir con alguien is ambiguous and can mean both 'to go on a date' and 'to be in a committed relationship'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, you can invitar a friend to coffee or a drink without any romantic intention.
Example conversation
Javier is talking to Maria at a coffee shop.
- JavierMaría, ¿te puedo invitar a salir?Maria, can I take you out?
- MaríaSí, me gustaría mucho.Yes, I would like that a lot.
- Javier¿Estás libre el sábado?Are you free on Saturday?
- MaríaSí, estoy libre ese día.Yes, I am free that day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, invitar, salir, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
