invitar
/een-vee-TAHR/
to invite
Invitar means 'to invite' someone to an event.
📝 In Action
¿A quién vas a invitar a tu cumpleaños?
A1Who are you going to invite to your birthday?
Me invitaron a una boda en la playa.
A2They invited me to a wedding on the beach.
Ellos invitan a todos sus vecinos a la cena navideña.
A1They invite all their neighbors to the Christmas dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with the Invitation
When inviting someone to a place or event, you must always use the preposition 'a' immediately after 'invitar': 'Invitar [persona] a [lugar/evento]'. This is different from English, where 'to' is sometimes implied.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the 'a'
Mistake: "Voy a invitar mi casa. (Incorrect)"
Correction: Voy a invitar *a* mi casa. (Correct) – You need the connecting word 'a'.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Personal A'
Since you are inviting a person, remember to use the 'personal a' before the person you are inviting, unless the person is the subject of the sentence. Example: 'Invité a María'.
When you 'treat' someone by paying for their meal, you use invitar.
invitar(verb)
to treat
?to pay for someone else’s food/drink
to buy for
?informal way of saying you are paying
📝 In Action
No te preocupes por la cuenta, ¡yo invito!
A2Don't worry about the bill, I'm treating! (I'm paying!)
Permítame invitarle un café.
B1Allow me to buy you a coffee (formal).
Mi jefe invitó a todo el equipo a comer tacos.
A2My boss treated the whole team to tacos.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object (What is paid for)
When using 'invitar' in this sense, the thing you are paying for (the drink, the meal) is often the direct object. Example: 'Invité la cena' (I treated the dinner).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Invitar' and 'Pagar'
Mistake: "Yo pago la cena. (Technically correct, but less generous sounding)"
Correction: Yo invito la cena. (Better, it implies a generous offer, not just the mechanical action of paying.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Making the Offer
The simple phrase '¡Yo invito!' is the most common and friendly way to offer to pay for the bill in a social setting.
Invitar can also mean 'to encourage' or motivate an action.
invitar(verb)
to encourage
?to prompt or motivate an action
to tempt
?to make something appealing
📝 In Action
La atmósfera tranquila invita a la reflexión profunda.
B2The calm atmosphere encourages deep reflection.
Su sonrisa invitaba a la confianza.
C1Her smile prompted trust (or invited confidence).
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract Subject
In this sense, the subject of 'invitar' is usually an inanimate thing or an abstract concept (like silence, atmosphere, or a sight), not a person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Writing
This meaning is great for essays, descriptions, or formal speeches where you want to describe an environment's effect on people.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: invitar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'invitar' in the sense of 'to treat' (pay)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'invitar' and 'convidar'?
'Invitar' is the general word for asking someone to an event or paying for them. 'Convidar' is slightly more formal and often used specifically when offering food or drink, but in modern Spanish, 'invitar' is much more common for both meanings.
When I say 'Yo invito,' does that mean I'm paying for everything?
Yes, in a social setting, 'Yo invito' is a clear and direct offer to cover the entire cost for the group or for the specific items mentioned (e.g., 'Yo invito los postres' means 'I'll pay for the desserts').