招待
shōtai[ɕo̞ːta̠i]
In Japanese, the word for invitation is 招待 (shōtai).
招待 (shōtai) refers to the document or spoken words that convey a message to invite someone. If you are referring specifically to a physical or digital invitation card or letter, use the word 招待状 (shōtaijō).
Meaning: document or spoken words conveying the message by which one is invited (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
shōtai
Did you know?
- While 招待 (shōtai) is the standard word, if you are invited to a party or a gathering, Japanese people often use the verb 誘う (sasou), which means 'to tempt' or 'to lure' in other contexts.
- When accepting an invitation, it is common to say お言葉に甘えて (okotoba ni amaete), which literally means 'I will lean on your words'. It is a way of humbly accepting a favor or treat.
- If a Japanese person declines an invitation by saying ちょっと… (chotto…), they are not saying the timing is 'a little' bad. This is a coded way to say 'no' without using the word 'no' and causing loss of face.
Examples in context
- 私は彼の招待に応じた。I accepted his invitation.This sentence shows how to express accepting an invitation with 招待.Tatoeba #153864 by bunbuku, translation #260678 by CK
- 彼女は彼の招待を断った。She turned down his invitation.This sentence shows how to express turning down an invitation with 招待.Tatoeba #87297 by bunbuku, translation #316411 by CK
- 彼女は私の招待を断った。She refused my invitation.This sentence shows how to express refusing an invitation with 招待.Tatoeba #89358 by bunbuku, translation #314353 by CK
- Watashitachi no gēmu ni shōtai shimasu. (私たちのゲームに招待します。)We invite you to our game.
- Konban, eiga ni issho ni ikimashō! (今晩、映画に一緒に行きましょう！)Let's go to the movies tonight!
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about a party.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔くん、パーティーの招待状は届いた？Hiroto-kun, pātī no shōtaijō wa todoita?Hiroto, did you receive the invitation to the party?
- 大翔 Hirotoまだ届いてないよ。招待されるのかな。Mada todoite nai yo. Shōtai sareru no kana.It hasn't arrived yet. I wonder if I'll be invited.
- 美咲 Misakiもちろん！丁寧な招待があったはずだよ。Mochiron! Teinei na shōtai ga atta hazu da yo.Of course! There must have been a formal invitation.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんだ。明日まで待ってみるよ。Sō nan da. Ashita made matte miru yo.I see. I'll wait until tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 招待, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
