invite

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 招 has 8 strokes, the on-reading しょう, and the kun-reading まねく. 招く (まねく) and 招待 (しょうたい) are used for inviting people.
• Basic usage: 招く can also mean causing a result; 招待 concerns inviting someone to an event or place.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Inviting a person and causing a result
  • 友人を家へ招いた means invited a friend to one's home. 失敗を招くこともある means that failure can sometimes result, not that it always does.
  • 友人を誕生日会に招待しました means invited a friend to a birthday gathering. 展覧会への招待 refers to an invitation to attend an exhibition.