invitar
“invitar” means “to invite” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to invite
📝 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.
to treat
Also: to buy for
📝 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.
to encourage
Also: to tempt
📝 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).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: invitar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'invitar' in the sense of 'to treat' (pay)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *invitare*, which meant 'to ask, to summon, or to treat.' The meaning of offering hospitality and asking someone to join you has stayed consistent for centuries.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
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').