誘います（さそいます、sasoimasu）
- to invite

The Japanese word 誘います 誘います (さそいます, *sasoimasu*) means "to invite," "to ask someone to do something," "to tempt," or "to lure." It implies an offer or suggestion to participate in an activity or experience with the speaker. This verb encompasses the act of extending an invitation, enticing someone, or persuading them to join.

⚫︎映画に誘います。 Translation: I will invite you to a movie. ⚫︎今度、食事に誘ってください。 Translation: Please invite me to dinner next time. ⚫︎彼は私をパーティーに誘いました。 Translation: He invited me to the party.

⚫︎ 誘います 誘います is a versatile verb used in various social contexts. ⚫︎ It is used when you are offering an invitation, making a suggestion, or encouraging someone to join you in an activity. ⚫︎ The level of formality can vary depending on the context and the person you are speaking to. When speaking to someone senior, use more polite forms. ⚫︎ You can use different forms of the verb, such as the present affirmative form 誘います 誘います , the present negative form 誘いません, the past form 誘いました, and the te-form 誘って.

⚫︎ The base form is written as 誘う (さそう, *sasou*). ⚫︎ In polite speech, it becomes 誘います 誘います (さそいます, *sasoimasu*). ⚫︎ The kanji is 誘, and it can be used, although hiragana is also common. ⚫︎ The okurigana is standard as indicated in the example.

⚫︎ 招待します (*shoutai shimasu*) - to invite (more formal) ⚫︎ お誘いします (*osasoimasu*) - to invite (polite) ⚫︎ 声をかけます (*koe o kakemasu*) - to call out to, to invite (informal, often for casual gatherings) ⚫︎ 勧める (*susumeru*) - to recommend, to encourage

⚫︎ The opposite of 誘う isn't straightforward as there is no single direct antonym. However, refusing an invitation or avoiding an invitation could be considered as opposite actions.

週末に、一緒に映画を見に誘いませんか。 ・Translation: How about we go see a movie together this weekend? ・Explanation: This sentence uses the "ませんか" form, which is a polite way to extend an invitation.

旅行に誘ってくれてありがとう。 ・Translation: Thank you for inviting me on the trip. ・Explanation: This sentence uses the te-form of the verb, showing gratitude for the invitation.

The etymology of 誘う 誘う comes from the Old Japanese verb 邀（さそ）う (*sasou*), which meant "to invite" or "to call." The meaning has remained relatively consistent over time. The kanji 誘 depicts the action of leading or guiding someone to a place or a particular action, also suggesting the idea of persuasion.