Translation guide
The English verb "invoke" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: calling upon a higher power, citing a rule or principle, evoking a feeling or image, and summoning a spirit. It also notes technical uses in computing and law.
To appeal to a god, spirit, or powerful entity for assistance, protection, or inspiration.
General verb for 'pray', often used when invoking divine help. Can be used with ～に (to) to specify the deity.
神に助けを祈った。
They invoked God's help.
Literally 'seek divine protection'. A more formal or literary way to express invoking a deity's protection.
戦いの前に神の加護を求めた。
Before the battle, they invoked the gods' protection.
Formal term for offering a prayer or petition, often used in religious or ceremonial contexts.
僧侶が平和を祈願した。
The monk invoked peace.
To mention or use a law, rule, principle, or famous person to support an argument or action.
Common verb meaning 'bring up' or 'cite' (a rule, reason, etc.), often with a nuance of using it as an excuse or justification.
彼はいつも規則を持ち出す。
He always invokes the rules.
To invoke or put into effect (a law, clause, emergency measure). Used in legal or official contexts.
政府は緊急条項を発動した。
The government invoked the emergency clause.
To cause a particular feeling, memory, or image to appear in someone's mind.
To evoke, summon up (a memory, feeling, image). The most direct and common equivalent for this sense.
その曲は懐かしい思い出を呼び起こす。
That song invokes nostalgic memories.
To make someone recall or think of something. More formal/literary than 呼び起こす.
その香りが故郷を想起させる。
The scent invokes thoughts of home.
To arouse or evoke (a feeling, interest, attention). Often used in formal or psychological contexts.
その映像は恐怖を喚起する。
The footage invokes fear.
To call upon a spirit, demon, or ghost to appear, often through a ritual.
General verb for 'summon' or 'call out'. Can be used for spirits, but also for calling a person or a taxi. Context clarifies the supernatural sense.
魔術師が悪霊を呼び出した。
The sorcerer invoked an evil spirit.
Formal term for 'summon', often used in fantasy, games, or occult contexts for summoning entities.
儀式で精霊を召喚する。
They invoke a spirit through a ritual.
In computing, to start a process, function, or subroutine.
The standard term for 'call' or 'invoke' in programming. Used for functions, methods, APIs, etc.
この関数を呼び出すとエラーが発生する。
Invoking this function causes an error.
To start up or launch a program or process. Less specific than 呼び出す but used for invoking applications or services.
スクリプトを起動するとバックアップが始まる。
Invoking the script starts the backup.
The verb 呼ぶ (yobu) means 'to call' but is too vague for most senses of 'invoke'. Use the compound verbs or phrases listed above for precision.
Both mean 'evoke', but 呼び起こす is more common for memories and emotions in everyday language, while 喚起する is formal and often used for abstract concepts like 'interest' or 'awareness'.
To cite something as an example or reference, often to support one's point. Slightly more formal than 持ち出す.
弁護士は過去の判例を引き合いに出した。
The lawyer invoked past precedents.