The Meaning of shōtai [招待] In Japanese

招待
しょうたい
Romaji: shōtai N5

What does 招待 mean?

Translation and Meaning

invitation, to invite

Definition

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.

Type

Noun; suru-verb (招待する)

Stroke Order

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

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.

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

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a host at the door waving a sign 招 to beckon, while waiting 待 for the guest to arrive; this literal image helps remember that 招待 is the act of inviting someone to come in.

Variations

  • 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)

Example Phrases

  • 友達を招待して、家で小さな集まりを開く。
    Tomodachi o shōtai shite, ie de chiisana atsumari o hiraku.
    I invite friends and host a small gathering at home.
    Lista:
    • 友達を (tomodachi o) – Friends
    • 招待して、 (shōtai shite,) – Inviting
    • 家で (ie de) – At home
    • 小さな (chiisana) – Small
    • 集まりを (atsumari o) – Gathering
    • 開く (hiraku) – To hold
    Aqui, 「招待」 é usado na forma nominal como parte do verbo 招待する na forma て, conectando ‘convidar’ com ‘organizar/realizar’.
  • 新婚の友人を家に招待した。
    Shinkon no yūjin o ie ni shōtaishita.
    I invited my newlywed friend to my house.
    Lista:
    • 新婚 (shinkon) – newlywed
    • の (no) – of (possessive marker)
    • 友人 (yūjin) – friend
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 家 (ie) – house
    • に (ni) – to
    • 招待した (shōtaishita) – invited
    新婚 funciona como um na-adjetivo; aqui aparece como 「新婚の」 para modificar 「友人」, significando ‘newlywed’.
招待