Translation guide
How to extend, accept, or decline an invitation in Japanese, depending on formality and relationship.
The speaker invites someone to do something together or to attend an event.
Polite negative question form used to invite someone. It is softer and more polite than the plain volitional form.
映画に行きませんか。
Would you like to go to a movie?
お茶でも飲みませんか。
How about having some tea?
Polite volitional form used to suggest doing something together. More direct than 〜ませんか, often used when the speaker assumes the listener will agree.
そろそろ行きましょう。
Let's go soon.
Casual negative question form used among friends or close acquaintances.
明日、遊びに行かない？
Wanna go hang out tomorrow?
Plain volitional form used in casual speech to suggest doing something. Often used by male speakers.
ちょっと休もう。
Let's take a break.
The speaker responds positively to an invitation.
A common, polite way to accept an invitation, meaning 'That sounds good.'
A: 映画に行きませんか。 B: いいですね。
A: Would you like to go to a movie? B: That sounds good.
Means 'definitely' or 'by all means', used to enthusiastically accept an invitation.
A: 今度、食事に行きませんか。 B: ぜひ。
A: Would you like to go out for a meal sometime? B: Definitely.
A formal way to accept, meaning 'with pleasure'.
The speaker politely refuses an invitation.
A vague, soft way to decline without giving a direct reason. The trailing off implies difficulty.
A: 明日、飲みに行かない？ B: 明日はちょっと…
A: Wanna go for a drink tomorrow? B: Tomorrow's a bit...
A polite way to decline, meaning 'Sorry, it's not convenient.'
A: 来週の金曜日、空いていますか。 B: すみません、その日は都合が悪くて。
A: Are you free next Friday? B: Sorry, that day isn't good for me.
Means 'Please invite me again next time,' a polite way to decline while leaving the door open.
A: 一緒にコンサートに行きませんか。 B: 今回はちょっと…また今度お願いします。
A: Would you like to go to a concert together? B: This time is a bit... Please ask me again next time.
A formal written invitation, such as to a wedding or ceremony.
A formal written invitation card.
結婚式の招待状が届きました。
I received a wedding invitation.
A notice or invitation card for an event, slightly less formal than 招待状.
Referring to the act or concept of inviting someone.
General term for invitation, often used for events or gatherings.
ご招待ありがとうございます。
Thank you for the invitation.
Invitation in a casual sense, often for social outings.
In Japanese, directly translating 'I invite you' as 「あなたを招待します」 can sound overly formal or unnatural. Instead, use the invitation patterns like 〜ませんか or 〜ましょう to suggest an activity together.
パーティーに来ませんか。
Would you like to come to the party? (natural)
When declining, it's common to leave the sentence unfinished with ちょっと… or to give a vague reason. Directly saying 'no' (いいえ) is often too blunt.
A: パーティーにご招待します。 B: 喜んで参ります。
A: I'd like to invite you to the party. B: I'll gladly come.
I sent out invitations for the exhibition.
I turned down his invitation.