jiu1 cing2邀請邀请
Jyutpingjiu1 cing2
Yaleyīu chíng
Definition
To invite; to request someone's presence as a guest or participant.
neutralpeoplecommunication
How it's used
While 邀請 is the standard term for inviting someone, it carries a formal or polite tone that sounds slightly stiff in casual settings. When speaking to close friends about social plans, people often prefer using 叫 or 搵 to express the same idea. It is most commonly used for formal events like weddings, business meetings, or official ceremonies.
Examples
He invited me to go for dim sum.
Did you invite him to attend the wedding?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 邀請 for informal hangouts with friends, which can sound overly formal or distant. Use 叫 for casual invitations to avoid sounding like you are sending a formal written request.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
